15:00 JDS, Cong MLAs sign up, meeting with guv this evening : Signatures of JDS and Congress MLAs are being taken in support of HD Kumaraswamy. The document will be submitted to the governor later today.
G Parameshwara, Congress on 12 Congress MLAs not present in the legislative meeting at Karnataka Party Congress Committee office in Bengaluru: “All the MLAs are intact. Some of the MLAs came late because they came in a special flight from Bidar.”
Retired Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde said today that Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala should convene the Assembly quickly to settle the issue of majority as any delay would give elbow room for political parties to indulge in horse-trading.
“No party has got any majority and the happenings thereafter… I am not very happy because many unconstitutional methods are being tried to cobble up majority,” the former Solicitor General of India told PTI.
“So, sooner the Governor calls the House and call upon the people to prove the majority, better it is,” the former Karnataka Lokayukta said.
“Calling (B S) Yeddyurappa, you have an example of … find basis from S R Bommai case where the Supreme Court has held the vote of confidence should be held only on the floor of Legislative Assembly and not outside, and single largest party should be called upon to prove majority,” he said.
14:50 BJP does not do horse trading: Javadekar : Prakash Javadekar, Karnataka BJP In-charge on HD Kumaraswamy’s horse-trading allegations. Kumaraswamy had said that the BJP was offering Rs 100 crore for each MLA.
“They are leveling baseless charges against BJP. Poaching and horse trading is not done by BJP; Congress is famous for it. Their own MLAs are not happy with their alliance. Rs 100 crore figure is not only imaginary but it is what Congress-JDS do politics through. We are going by rules, we have submitted our claim to the governor and are confident of forming the govt.”
14:41 Chief Secy assault: Police to question Kejriwal: The police on May 18 will question Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash alleged assault case.
Earlier this year, Aam Aadmi Party MLAs Amanatullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal were questioned in the regard. Both Khan and Jarwal were arrested on February 21 for allegedly mishandling Anshu Prakash during a party meeting conducted at the residence of Kejriwal.
The MLAs were later sent to 14-day judicial custody, which was further extended by 14 days. Later both the leaders were granted by the Delhi High Court. — PTI
14:36 Congress spokesperson Divya Spandana/Ramya @divyaspandana Who is this businessman from Gujarat bankrolling BJP’s bid to buy MLA’s in Karnataka? What deal has the BJP struck with him? Will public sector banks have to pick up the tab for BJP’s corruption? Will our temporary FM @PiyushGoyal respond?
14:06 Congress set to move SC if guv invites BJP: The Congress may approach the Supreme Court if Governor Vajubhai Vala invites the BJP to form the next government in Karnataka, reports NDTV. The Congress charge will be led Abhishek Manu Sanghvi and the party will approach the court tonight itself if the governor extends his invite to the BJP.
BJP’s chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa met Vala today and said the governor had assured that a decision would be made “after seeing all possibilities”.
The BJP has 104 seats, eight short of majority in the 224-seat assembly, but claims they will cobble together the required 112.
JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy said the BJP tried to poach on his partymen, offering them Rs 100 crore each. The Congress and ally JD(S) plan to meet the Governor later today.
13:46 Have told BJP not to call me, claims Cong MLA: TD Rajegowda, Congress MLA on being asked if BJP had approached him: “They (BJP) keep on calling but we don’t bother about it. I have clearly asked them not to call me. I am a committed Congress person. They have been doing this from long time. This is their job.”
13:23 6 BJP leaders in touch with us: Cong leader : Amid claims of MLAs being swoon by opponents in Karnataka, Congress Party leader MB Patil claimed that six Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were in touch with his party.
“We are all together. All this (Congress and JD (S) leaders changing sides) is false news. In fact, there are six BJP people who are in touch with us,” Patil told media in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA NA Harris accused the BJP of doing “bad politics”, and added that the grand old party would not stoop down to that level.
“We have to protect the verdict of the people. They (BJP) are doing bad politics. We don’t have to stoop down to their level. We are 118 in number; we don’t want anyone,” he said, adding that he was not called to any resort, against reports stating otherwise.
Two JD(S) MLAs, namely Raja Venkatappa Nayaka and Venkata Rao Nadagouda, are missing from the meeting, while just 66 out of the 78 MLAs attended the legislative meeting at the Karnataka Party Congress Committee office.
12:58 BJP offering JDS MLAs Rs 100 cr each: Kumaraswamy: Update: “JD(S) MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each. Where is this black money coming from? They are supposedly the servers of poor people and they are offering money today. Where are the income tax officials?: Kumaraswamy.
He said the Congress-JD(S) combine had a “clear majority” with the support of 116 MLAs. “Without the numbers, how can they (BJP) form the government?” he asked. Kumaraswamy said he was not out to grab power. As the state Assembly polls gave a fractured verdict, the JD(S) and Congress have come together and petitioned Governor Vajubhai Vala to allow the combine to form its government.
“BJP’s Ashwamedha Yatra started in the north, the horses have been stopped in Karnataka. This verdict is to stop the Ashwamedha Yatra. Forget ‘Operation Kamal’ being successful, there are people who are ready to leave BJP & come with us. If you try to poach one from ours, we’ll do the same & take double from you. I’m also telling the governor to not take any decision which encourages horse-trading.”
On being asked if he had met BJP Karnataka in-charge Prakash Javadekar. Kumaraswamy asked, “Who is Javadekar? Who is that gentleman?”
12:40 BJP offering Rs 100 cr to JDS MLAs: HD Kumaraswamy chosen as legislative party leader in a meeting of the JD(S) MLAs in Bengaluru. Addressing a presser now, he says the JDS will stay with the Congress and there was no question of supporting the BJP. He said the BJP was desperate to stay in power, it is trying hard to divide us. “They have 104 people, they need another 8 MLAs. BSY doesn’t have the numbers, but the result did not make us happy. We thought the BJP would not cross 80 seats,” Kumaraswamy said after being chosen head of the JDS legislative party. Kumaraswamy said the BJP was offering Rs 100 crore to their MLAs.
— BS Yeddyurappa after meeting the Guv: The party has chosen me. I have given the letter to the Governor and he will call me, that is what I am hoping. He told me that he will take an appropriate decision. I’ll inform you after I receive letter from Governor.
“Many JD (S) and Congress MLAs are angry with the Congress and JDs coming together to form government, they will come with BJP. We have support of some Congress and JD(S) MLAs,” Eshwarappa said.
Talking to ANI, Eshwarappa said, “There is no doubt we will form govt, 100 percent we’ll do that. Wait and watch. Results came out only yesterday. It has been only a day. See what can happen in Karnataka in a day.”
Eshwarappa bagged the Shivamogga seat with a tremendous margin in the Karnataka Assembly elections.He secured 1,04,027 votes, defeating Congress’ K.B. Prasanna Kumar by a margin of 46,107.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Basavaraj Bommai said that the party wasn’t approaching any individuals as of now, but added that politics is the art of possibility.”Political scenario will unfold in next 2-3 days. It depends on development in political parties. As of now, we aren’t approaching any individuals but politics is art of possibility,” Bommai told reporters.
12:06 ‘2019 is a game wide open’: The Congress may not have emerged as the single largest party in the Karnataka election, but takes solace in the fact that its vote share was higher than that of the Bharatiya Janata Party.”We couldn’t convince our voters to choose us over the JD-S. And that is where we perhaps lost out some seats,” Congress National Spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi tells Rediff.com’s Syed Firdaus Ashraf. Do read
12:01 1 independent MLA gives written support to BJP: One of the two independent MLAs in Karnataka has given his written support to Yeddyurappa. The state’s Congress Party leaders have alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to “poach” their MLAs in an attempt to establish majority to form the government in Karnataka.
“They (BJP) are poaching our MLAs, and we know that. Every day, there is a lot of pressure. But it not so easy, as two parties have the necessary numbers. However, we are taking all necessary steps,” Congress leader DK Shivakumar told ANI.
On being asked whether Congress MLAs in Karnataka would be shifted elsewhere, Shivakumar claimed that a plan has been chalked out to safeguard the former.
Echoing a similar stance, another Congress leader, Ramalinga Reddy, also claimed that the BJP was “trying hard” to get his party MLAs on their side. — ANI
11:31 Three JDS MLAs with links to Reddy brothers missing: JD(S) MLAs Raja Venkatappa Nayaka and Venkata Rao Nadagouda are missing from the JD(S) legislative party meeting which is going on in a hotel in Bengaluru. Both the MLAs have links to the Reddy brothers.
Five members of the core group of Reddy brothers, who were given tickets by the BJP, lost the elections while three won.
File image: Karunakara Reddy and Janardhana Reddy
11:04 Yeddyurappa leaves for Raj Bhavan : BS Yeddyurappa has left for the Raj Bhavan to meet the governor, his second meeting in less than 12 hours.
The BJP legislators meeting is over. BJP’s Sadananda Gowda, said they were the single largest party and should form government. “You have seen how Congress & JD(S) were fighting, six months back. Now, they want to come together & make government!” he said.
10:57 JDS legislative party meeting begins: JD(S) legislative party meeting begins in Bengaluru. The party’s CM candidate HD Kumaraswamy said his party has already decided to go with the Congress. “That’s the reason we called the Janata Dal (Secular) Legislature Party meeting. There is no question of taking any other decision.”
However reports say that three Congress MLAs are missing and the JDS has confirmed that the BJP has reached out to its MPs.
The numbers are: BJP: 104, Cong: 78, JDS: 38, Others: 2
The Congress says the two independent MLAs are with them, which makes their numbers stand at 118. But with the three Congress MLAs missing, presumably poached by the BJP, that’s down to 115. The BJP just needs three more MLAs over to their side to form government.
10:44 BJP likely to meet K’taka governor tomorrow: BS Yeddyurappa, the BJP’s CM candidate says that during the legislature party meeting which will be held shortly, the leader, will be elected. “From there we will go to Raj Bhavan immediately. We will stake claim to form the govt. Most probably we will ask the governor to give us time tomorrow,” Yeddyurappa said.
Union minister Prakash Javadekar, one of the three observers sent by the Centre to the Karnataka said the people want a BJP govt and the party would ensure it happens. “Anyone can create unnatural tensions, but people of Karnataka are with us. After the meeting, we will take necessary steps. This attempt made by Congress to make a backdoor entry is not appreciated,” Javadekar said.
Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and JP Nadda are the other two observers for the Karnataka.
Image: Prakash Javadekar and JP Nadda address the press this morning. Pic: ANI
According to an official statement, the State Emergency Operation Centre working under the supervision of the Sub-Collector of East Godavari district’s Rampachodavaram, all rescue teams were on the spot and working on the operation.
The statement also mentioned that so far, at least 20 families had contacted Government officials with reports of missing cases. It is noteworthy that 17 people had been rescued so far, while others are still missing.
According to police, the boat sailed from Devipatnam to reach Kondamodalu at 3.30 pm on Tuesday. When the boat was 10 minutes away from the banks, heavy rain and high-velocity winds started during which the small vessel lost its balance and capsized. — ANI
The 30-share index was trading lower by 245.23 points, or 0.69 per cent, at 35,298.71.
Yesterday, the gauge had soared more than 400 points intra-day after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in Karnataka. However, it gave up all gains to end modestly lower after the Congress unexpectedly stitched up a post-poll alliance with the JD(S) and staked claim to form the government. Sectoral indices led by bankex, PSU, oil and gas and healthcare were trading in the red, down by up to 1.90 per cent. The NSE Nifty fell 72.85 points, or 0.67 per cent, to 10,729. — PTI
10:16 BJP legislative party meeting begins shortly: Bengaluru: Observers for Karnataka, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan (not in picture), JP Nadda and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar arrived at the BJP office for the legislative party meeting. Meeting to begin shortly.
09:55 JD(S) legislative party to meet begin shortly: In Bengaluru, JD(S) MLAs wait for the legislative party meeting to begin shortly.
With Karnataka throwing up a fractured verdict, both the BJP and the JD(S)-Congress combine have staked claim to form government.
The Congress and JD(S) now fear horse trading by the BJP.
JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said the party is taking care to make sure its MLAs are not poached. JD(S) leader Saravana said, “I don’t know what they (BJP) are offering but they are trying to call our people, but they are not responding. We are all together, no one can touch our party. Our party MLAs are loyal to the party.”
Outgoing Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated outright that the BJP may try to poach its MLAs.
Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress who was part of the entourage which met the governor at the Raj Bhavan, said JD(S) has faith in its MLAs. “Nobody is going to go away. Let BJP try, whatever they want to,” Azad said.
All eyes are now set on Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, who will take the crucial decision– whom to call first to form the government in the state.
It is solely up to Governor Vala to take this major decision to whether call the single largest party i.e. BJP or the coalition party to stalk its claims to form the next government in Karnataka.
09:31 Madhya Pradesh: Mandatory for students to answer roll call with ‘Jai Hind’ : Madhya Pradesh government has announced that from now onwards, it is mandatory for the school students in the state to answer their roll-call with “Jai Hind”.
The education department stated that this step will instill a sense of patriotism among the students, read an official statement.
Earlier in November 2017, Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister Vijay Shah said now students would answer to roll-calls by saying “Jai Hind” instead of “yes sir” and “yes ma’am”.
He had said that the step would be enforced in all 1.22 lakh government schools, and an advisory in this regard would also be issued to all private schools. – ANI
Representational image
09:25 BJP leader says party in touch with Cong, JD-S MLAs:
BJP leader K S Eshwarappa says his party is in touch with “some” Congress and JD-S MLAs as the saffron party hopes to stitch together a majority.
The Janata Dal-Secular is scheduled to hold its Legislature Party meeting where all its newly-elected MLAs will be present at Le Meridien Hotel in Bengaluru.
Government formation in Karnataka is a tricky affair now with the Karnataka assembly election results 2018 throwing up a hung assembly, giving 104 seats to the BJP, 78 seats to the Congress and 37 seats to the JD-S.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA from Kushtagi Amaregouda Linganagouda Patil Bayyapur alleges that he was offered a ministry by the BJP in lieu of support and claims to have rejected the offer.
08:49 West Bengal panchayat elections: Re-polling to be held in 568 booths:
As violence was reported in a number of places during panchayat polls in West Bengal, which was held on May 14, re-polling will be held in 568 booths across various districts today.
This development came after a number of candidates who were contesting the panchayat polls met State Election Commission, demanding re-polling in their booths.
The panchayat elections in West Bengal saw huge-scale clashes on Monday between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress workers, resulting in the death of at least 12 people.
Taking note of the incident, the ministry of home affairs also sought a report from the state government regarding incidents of violence during the elections in the state.
The voting took place for 621 zilla parishads, over 6,000 panchayat samitis, and nearly 31 thousand gram panchayats.
The counting of votes will be held on May 17.
— ANI
08:33 Varanasi flyover collapse: 4 officials suspended:
After 18 people lost their lives and several others are feared trapped after a portion of an under-construction flyover collapsed near a railway station in Varanasi on Tuesday, four officials — Chief Project Manager HC Tiwari, Project Manager KR Sudan, Assistant Engineer Rajesh Singh & engineer Lal Chand — have been suspended with immediate effect.
An official of the UP State Bridge Corporation said that the body was set to pace up the work in order to complete the flyover by October. The piece of the flyover which fell was laid two months ago and interlocking work was being done, said K R Sudan, an official of UP State Bridge Corporation.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced compensation of Rs 500,000 for kin of those killed in the incident, Rs 200,000 for those who have been injured. CM Adityanath has also set up a three-member committee to probe flyover collapse.
08:17 Pradhan, JP Nadda appointed as BJP observers in Karnataka:
Union Minister for Oil and Petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda will attend a party meeting in Karnataka on Wednesday as Bharatiya Janata Party’s observers.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at 11 am on Wednesday to discuss the state assembly election results announced a day before.
The BJP which managed to gain a hold on 104 seats has emerged as the single largest party but has failed to cross the half-way mark of 112 in the 224-member assembly.
On the other hand, Congress and Janata Dal-Secular, with 78 and 38 seats respectively, are staking claim to form a government in the state.
On Tuesday, outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah even said JD-S leader HD Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, will be the next chief minister.
Further, Bharatiya Janata Party chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa said he is going to meet the state’s governor to request him to allow his party to form the government.
All eyes are now set on Karnataka’s Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala. As per the constitutional provision, the single-largest party is invited to form the government in the case of a fractured mandate.
— ANI
07:53 JD-S to hold meeting of new MLAs at 5-star hotel; Cong meeting at 8:30 am:
The Janata Dal-Secular is scheduled to hold its Legislature Party meeting where all its newly-elected MLAs will be present at Le Meridien Hotel in Bengaluru.
Government formation in Karnataka is a tricky affair now with the Karnataka assembly election results throwing up a hung assembly, giving 104 seats to the Bharatiya Janata Party, 78 seats to the Congress and 37 seats to the JD-S.
The Congress has dramatically backed the JD-S for chief ministership and both parties are likely to parade their MLAs before Governor Vajubhai Vala this morning.
The Congress is likely to hold a meeting before that at 8:30 am.
The BJP, too, has staked claim to form the Karnataka government, but is nine seats short of the majority mark. All eyes are now on who the Governor will invite first to form the government in Karnataka.
00:13 Karnataka: BJP legislature party to meet today: The Bharatiya Janata Party that has emerged as the single largest party in Karnataka, where assembly polls has thrown up a hung verdict, has called a meeting of its newly-elected legislature party today.
The meeting under the presidentship of its state unit chief B S Yeddyurappa is likely to elect him as the new leader of the BJP legislature party, party sources said.
Much before the polls, BJP had announced Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate.
With the magic figure of 113 seats to form the government elusive for the BJP, Congress and JD-S leaders met governor Vajubhai Vala and staked claim to form JD-S-led government in Karnataka.
Yeddyurappa also met the governor and staked claim to form the government.
The governor is said to have told both delegations that he will take a decision once he receives communication from the election commission about the poll results.
Meanwhile, the Congress legislature party is also meeting today, party sources said. — PTI
Source: Rediff