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Congress moves no-confidence motion against B S Yediyurappa govt

Siddaramaiah said the chief minister should resign and ministers should go home
Last Updated 24 September 2020, 19:41 IST

The Opposition Congress moved a ‘no-confidence’ notice against the BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Speaker Visveshwar Hegde Kageri, who admitted the notice to move the motion under Rule 167 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Legislative Assembly, said the date and time will be provided for discussion by Saturday.

Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said the people of the state and the House had lost confidence in the Yediyurappa government. “The chief minister should resign, and the ministers should go home,” he said, demanding that the notice be admitted on priority.

While there is no threat to the BJP government, the curious move is being seen as Congress’ attempt to position itself to lure disgruntled BJP and JD(S) legislators keeping the long-term in mind.

Revenue Minister R Ashoka, who objected to the no-confidence motion, said the BJP was confident of proving the majority. “You don’t have the numbers. Your own people have joined us and many more legislators from Congress will join the BJP,” he said.

Taking a dig at Ashoka, Siddaramaiah said some BJP MLAs will back the motion. “The trust in this government will be revealed when the House votes on the motion,” he said, pointing at a section of BJP legislators seated in the Assembly.

Senior Congress leader H K Patil, meanwhile, urged the Speaker to ensure that no major Bills are taken up for discussion when a notice for a ‘no confidence’ motion was moved. “Clearing any Bills when the notice is in place will set a bad precedent,” he added.

A no-confidence motion can be moved if one-tenth of the Assembly members back it. JD(S) legislators did not vote for the notice moved by Siddaramaiah.

In the 225-member Assembly, the ruling BJP has 116 members, Congress 67, JD(S) 33, BSP one, two Independents, one nominated member and the Speaker (who has a casting vote in case of a tie). Four seats -- Sira, Basavakalyan, Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Maski -- are vacant.

Congress is expected to use the notice as a platform to corner the government. “Corruption in this government is widespread,” Siddaramaiah said, after the Congress Legislature Party meeting held on Thursday morning. “Development works have suffered and finances have hit rock bottom. After Yediyurappa came to power, Rs 1.01 lakh crore has been borrowed. They don’t have money for committed expenditure also,” he said, adding that the government had failed on all fronts.

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(Published 24 September 2020, 09:51 IST)

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