Yeddyurappa to seek trust vote for second time in four days

"I am going to seek a vote of confidence tomorrow. I am confident of winning", said 68-year-old Yeddyurappa, who would be creating history for having sought a trust vote for second time within a short space.

Opposition Congress and JD(S) have decried Governor H R Bhardwaj's offer to Yeddyurappa to seek a fresh vote, terming it as "illegal and unconstitutional" and demanded its withdrawal.

Yeddyurappa decided to accept the fresh floor test offer and expects it would be a 'smooth task' following the High Court refusing interim relief to 16 disqualified MLAs.

Bhardwaj, who declared the trust vote on October 11 by voice vote as a "farce", had recommended to the Centre to bring the state under President's rule.

In the wake of BJP lashing out at the Governor for his what it called "partisan" attitude and stepping up demand for his re-call, Bhardwaj did a somersault making an offer to allow trust vote for the second time, a decision not made hitherto by any Governor so far.

Following the disqualification of 16 MLAs-- 11 from BJP and five independents-- the strength of the 224-member Assembly has now been reduced to 208, requiring Yeddyurappa to muster support of 105 members to get the motion passed.

The ruling side after loosing 11 of its men, who have been disqualified by the Speaker K G Bopaiah on the basis of a complaint lodged by Yeddyurappa command a strength of 106 members, one above the required mark.

The opposition Congress has 73 and JDS 28 members, but one of MLA from Chennapatna, M C Ashwath is believed to have pledged support to BJP. This brings down the combined strength of the opposition to 100.

Former minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, one of the dissidents and an independent, has claimed that at least eleven to twelve BJP MLAs will join the rebel ranks.

Bopaiah, who faced the ire of opposition for his failure to conduct the proceedings on October 11 in a "free and fair" manner has convened the session on October 14.

Pandemonium had prevailed during the session that barely lasted for ten minutes.
Police have also made elaborate security arrangements for the vote of confidence to ensure that Monday's ugly scenes are not repeated.