Thank God, there is Supreme Court: Chidambaram on Karnataka episode

New Delhi, May 19: Slamming the BJP for 'subverting the democracy' in Karnataka after the fractured mandate delivered by the electorates, former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday accused the ruling parties of inventing scores of tricks before proving the majority in the House and said 'Thank God, there is a Supreme Court'.
In a series of tweets, Mr Chidambaram took potshots at newly sworn-in Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and said, 'How many tricks will the BJP invent before the Karnataka Assembly votes on the motion of confidence? How many hurdles will they place? First, give us 15 days. Second, Anglo Indian member. Third, secret ballot. Fourth, colluding pro-tem Speaker. Fifth, under invention!'
'Thank god there is a Supreme Court! It is also a commentary that on a purely State matter, the parties do not repose confidence in the State High Court. As many as 221 elected men and women cannot decide who among them enjoys the confidence of the majority! Why call ourselves a democracy?,' he questioned in another tweet on democracy.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court rejected the plea by the Congress Party and Janata Dal (Secular) challenging the appointment of pro-tem speaker KG Bopaiah.
The court ruled that Mr Bopaiah will continue as the pro-tem speaker of the Karnataka Assembly and that the floor test will go on as scheduled at 1600 hrs.
The apex court gave the go-ahead to telecast the proceedings live, as requested by the counsels of the petitioners.
'Live broadcast of the floor test would be the best way to ensure transparency of the proceedings,' the bench noted.
'I salute the Supreme Court. Now, let the Congress and JD(S) MLAs stand by their respective party and uphold the Constitution. In Karnataka, what is at stake is not only who will form the Government, but who will be loyal to the electorate and uphold the verdict of his/her voters,' former minister said.
Governor Vajubhai Vala had given BJP 15 days to prove majority in the House, which was opposed by Congress-JD(S). The Congress moved the Apex Court trying to seek curtailment of the 15-day period given to Mr Yeddyurappa to prove his majority in the Assembly, which turned down Mr Vala’s decision and asked BJP to clear the floor test by 1600 hrs on Saturday.
'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. Live telecast ordered by Supreme Court will mean that every citizen watching television will be the Pro Tem Speaker!,' said Mr Chidambaram.
In a 224-member Karnataka Assembly, the BJP won 104 seats, the Congress 78 and the JD (S) 37. Rest of the seats were won by the independents while voting on two seats did not take place. UNI