Every citizen watching TV is Pro-tem Speaker: Chidambaram

The Supreme Court ordering a live telecast of the Karnataka Assembly proceedings means that every citizen watching television will be a Pro-tem Speaker, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said.

In a series of tweets, Chidambaram attacked the BJP for putting “hurdles” in conducting the floor test in the Karnataka Assembly and wondered how many “tricks” the saffron party will “invent” to win it.

“First, give us 15 days. Second, Anglo Indian member. Third, secret ballot. Fourth, colluding Pro-tem Speaker. Fifth, under invention! How many tricks will the BJP invent before the Karnataka Assembly votes on the motion of confidence? How many hurdles will they place,” he wondered.

Chidambaram welcomed the apex court order on ensuring the live telecast of the Assembly proceedings.

“Live telecast ordered by Supreme Court will mean that every citizen watching television will be a Pro-tem Speaker,” he said.

Chidambaram said it was also a commentary that on a purely state matter, the parties do not repose confidence in the high court. “Thank god there is the Supreme Court,” Chidambaram said in a tweet in Hindi.

“Every trick of the BJP to delay or derail the vote of confidence has been defeated. Now, I am sure the Congress and JD(S) MLAs will defeat Mr Yeddyurappa,” he said.