The BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government in Karnataka won the confidence motion by a voice vote on Monday.

However, soon after the motion was passed, the Assembly speaker KR Ramesh Kumar tendered his resignation. The Speaker, who had disqualified as many as 17 legislators, claimed that the Tenth schedule of the Constitution needs to be reviewed as it is not equipped to prevent defections.

The BJP has a strength of 105 MLAs with support from one independent in the House, whose total strength has been reduced to 208.

The Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance did not press for division on the one-line confidence motion moved by Yediyurappa. The Speaker declared the motion passed by a voice vote.

No vindictive politics

Before the confidence motion was put to vote, Chief Minister Yediyurappa acknowledged the fact that when Siddaramaiah and HD Kumaraswamy were the chief ministers, they did not indulge in vindictive politics.

“I am here to assure the House that vindictive politics will not be entertained. I believe in forget and forgive policy,” he said.

Both Siddaramaiah and HD Kumaraswamy, opposing the confidence motion, claimed that Yediyurappa’s government was unconstitutional and immoral.

Siddaramaiah said that despite a major political crisis enveloping the State, the administration had been running smoothly. “Administration has not come to a standstill. The coalition government has honestly tried to implement the common minimum programme.

“We have waived farm loans and also brought in an act to waive personal loans. The coalition government has continued all programmes that my government had started,” he added.

Kumaraswamy said he expected the new government to put an end to the political instability and ‘not try to get more MLAs to resign. We are not going to try to bring down your government in a haste. We will support the government on the good measures,’ he said.

Finance Bill

Soon after the confidence vote, Yediyurappa moved the Appropriation Bill seeking a vote on account for three months on the State Budget even though Siddaramaiah wanted it to be extended for the entire fiscal to prevent disruption of development works.

The Finance Bill was passed without dissent.

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