Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru (RJP)
Bengaluru, Jun 15: JD(S) has decided to support Legislative Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy when the Congress will take up no-confidence motion against him on Thursday, June 15.
JD(S) MLCs who met on Wednesday evening decided to support Shankaramurthy. Before this, JD(S) was pressurized by Congress in different ways to support it in its move to unseat the Council Chairman. Congress president Dr G Parameshwara had met JD(S) Supremo H D Deve Gowda in this regard. BJP too had sought JD(S) support. Both Congress and BJP leaders had held talks also with JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy seeking the support. But the JD(S) kept both parties in suspense for some days and later came to a decision to support BJP.
Congress needs the support of 38 members to oust the Chairman. The party has 36 members on its side which includes three independents, and is falling short of two crucial votes.
The BJP has 23 members, including the Chairman.
D H Shankaramurthy
If JD(S) had decided to support the resolution, then Shankaramurthy would have had to resign.
The combined strength of the BJP and the JD(S) will be 36 bringing it on par with the Congress.
The votes of two independents - Basavaraj Patil Yatnal and M D Lakshminarayana will be crucial.
All three parties on Wednesday issued whip to their members stating that it is mandatory to be present in the House on Thursday.
It is still believed in political circles that some JD(S) members may abstain from voting.
The BJP is also banking on the support of MLC D U Mallikarjun, who got elected to the Council with the support of the BJP and JD(S) MLAs in 2014.
According to rules, Shankaramurthy cannot preside over the House when the resolution is taken up. However, he can participate in the proceedings and even cast his vote.
Shankaramurthy presided over the House proceedings for just one hour on Wednesday.