Lawmakers from the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) protested during the trust vote debate in the Karnataka Assembly after Governor Vajubhai Vala wrote to Speaker KR Ramesh asking him to ensure that the coalition government’s confidence is tested on Thursday itself.

The Congress targeted the BJP for directly approaching the governor and not discussing the matter in the house.

Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa told the speaker that his party will not “speak much” and let coalition members speak. “Please let them move the motion and hold the trust vote today,” he said.

The Speaker has adjourned the Assembly until 11 am tomorrow.

Read Karnataka Assembly Highlights here:

12:00 am IST BS Yeddyurappa sleeps at Vidhana Soudha BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa sleeps at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. #WATCH Karnataka: BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa sleeps at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. BJP legislators of the state are on an over night 'dharna' at the Assembly over their demand of floor test. pic.twitter.com/e4z6ypzJPz — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





11:30 pm IST BJP MLAs on overnight dharna over floor test demand Karnataka BJP legislators went on an overnight ‘dharna’ at the Vidhana Soudha over their demand of floor test





10:37 pm IST BJP MLAs eat dinner in the lounge of Vidhana Soudha The BJP MLAs are in an over night dharna at the Karnataka assembly. Karnataka: BJP legislators who are on an over night 'dharna' at the assembly demanding floor test, eat dinner at the Opposition Lounge of Vidhana Soudha pic.twitter.com/BurvIXAvO6 — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





9:31 PM IST ‘There’s serious doubt on the confidence of the Govt. led by you’: Governor Vajubhai Vala Read the copy of the letter here:





9:16 PM IST BJP MLA Madhusamy says BJP will move SC before session begins BJP general secretary in charge of Karnataka P Muralidhar Rao said, ‘Speaker has acted in a partisan manner. His conduct was not in line with the order of the Supreme Court and he also defied that trust vote proceedings should end by the day’.





9:02 PM IST ‘Prove majority in assembly by 1:30 PM, tomorrow’: Guv Vajubhai Vala to CM The Governor has written to CM HD Kumaraswamy to prove his majority in the Assembly within the give time.





8:12 pm IST BS Yeddyurappa still inside the Vidhan Soudha BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa still inside as Assembly adjourns without floor test.





6:18 PM IST Karnataka Assembly adjourned till 11 am tomorrow ‘We will hold an all night protest inside the House. This is a first in parliamentary democracy. Till the confidence vote is taken up we will be inside the House’: BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa.





6:14 PM IST ‘Speaker will tell you about his decision on the Governor’s letter’: Deputy Speaker Deputy Speaker Krishna Reddy says Speaker KR Ramesh is holding discussions with the Advocate General.





6:10 PM IST ‘BJP has enticed our MLAs with money and muscle’: Congress Surjewala said, ‘Everyone will suffer if we do not abide by the Constitution.’





6:06 PM IST ‘Congress has the right to issue a whip according to Schedule 10’: Surjewala The Congress speaker said that they were not party to the case in SC hence they can issue a whip.





5:57 PM IST ‘Can the trust vote happen if Schedule 10 is rendered inoperable?’: Cong’s Surjewala Congress’ Surjewala says the Constitution has the Doctrine of Separation of Powers but that is not being followed. He said, ‘The BJP has used money and muscle power to subvert the mandate of the people. These defections are deliberate.’





5:55 PM IST ‘Rebel MLAs chose to be absent under BJP’s diktat’: Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala Congress Spokesperson Surjewala says, ‘Siddaramaiah was not arrayed as a party in the Supreme Court, so can an order be enforced against a party who was not even before the SC.’ Congress’ Randeep Surjewala addresses a press conference.





5:50 PM IST Session adjourned for 10 minutes Coalition leaders protest against BJP. Bengaluru: Congress MLAs protest in Karnataka Assembly with pictures of its MLA Shrimant Patil, who had gone incommunicado & was later found to be admitted at a hospital in Mumbai. Congress has accused BJP of poaching its MLAs pic.twitter.com/sU9IVRmIBJ — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





5:33 PM IST Deputy Speaker takes over the proceedings BJP’s JC Madhuswamy says the Supreme Court is helping BJP in the same manner as it had helped Congress-JD(S) earlier. He said, ‘When Yeddyurappa was made to prove majority within 24 hours where were these people then? They approached the SC not us. The same SC that helped you is helping us.’





5:29 PM IST ‘Must not kill democracy, our MLA has been kidnapped’: Dinesh Gundu Rao The Congress MLA also said, ‘This is the first time the whip was questioned and a clear decision has to be taken on this either here or in the Supreme Court. It is only an interim order. Even Speaker’s right is infringed upon. SC says you can act in any manner, but if someone violates the whip and we complain to you, the SC has said the MLAs cannot be compelled to attend, so how will you act against them? Hence we must discuss these matters in detail.’





5:26 PM IST ‘There’s no hurry. On Friday, CM wanted to move confidence motion’: BJP’s Suresh Kumar BJP MLA Suresh Kumar said, that the CM himself wanted to move the confidence motion. He also added, ‘It was decided to be moved today. If this is a hurry how are files being moved in a hurry.’





5:17 PM IST ‘It isn’t illegal to meet the Governor’: Speaker to Cong’s KB Gowda Congress’s HK Patil objects, says, ‘The governor shall not interfere in the proceedings of this house. We’ve seen that the Governor’s representative is present here, we welcome the person, but we should have come to know of this.’





5:05 PM IST ‘Please hold the trust vote today’: BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa says he will not speak much and has asked them to discuss till midnight. Congress KB Gowda said, BJP could have discussed the matter in the House but they chose to approach the Governor. Former Karnataka chief minister and BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa during an Assembly Session at Vidhana Soudha, in Bengaluru. ( PTI )





5:02 PM IST ‘Have to resolve legal questions before the trust vote’: Congress’ KB Gowda KB Gowda to Speaker: The governor has sent a message and you’ve read it out. We’ve taken up the confidence vote and there are some legal aspects we’ve raised. The motion is already under consideration. The confidence vote that will decide the future of the house. It is the right and privilege of the members of the House to discuss this.





4:57 PM IST Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh reads out a letter from the Karnataka Governor He says that the Governor has asked him to ensure that the motion of confidence is passed and the floor test is conducted.





4:28 PM IST Congress MLA Shrimant Patil shifted to Mumbai’s St. George Hospital from Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre He has been shifted to the new hospital for further treatment, according to ANI. Maharashtra: Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil has been shifted to Mumbai's St. George Hospital from Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre for further treatment. pic.twitter.com/M6fTMwKruN — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





03:59 pm IST Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar adjourns the House Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar adjourns the House for half an hour.





03:47 pm IST Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar: How long should I witness all this Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar says, “I have been given a ticket. I cannot look at who travelled with whom. My concern is only that Siddaramaiah has written a letter. I got a letter that was not on a letter pad and wasn’t dated. It said Shrimanth Patil is in St George hospital because of the chest pain.” “Under rule 203, the Speaker has to read out the letter and ask your permission. How can I accept this letter, which is not on an official letter pad. Why did he go to Mumbai? With whom did he go? Should I base myself on the rules or on the current political climate? This letter did not even have a date. How can I consider this? With the papers in front of me I feel it is not fair. How long should I witness all this?”





03:38 pm IST I will not threaten anybody, I’m in no hurry: Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy says, “I haven’t yet got time to complete my speech. But the discussion is over Schedule 10. I will not threaten anybody. I’m in no hurry, let us discuss what happened between 200 8 and 2013. We haven’t treated MLAs like cattle. In the case of Shrimanth Patil, you must explain who sent photos of him on WhatsApp? Who traveled with him in the flight? The speaker has the responsibility to protect the MLAs. Numbers only matter during the vote.”





03:36 pm IST BJP leader CT Ravi: They have accused the BJP but in whose custody was Shrimanth Patil BJP leader CT Ravi says, “I can understand why they feel so bad about losing power. They have accused the BJP but in whose custody was he? You are the chief minister and you have the government. They should introspect rather than accuse us. The coalition is prolonging this because they don’t have the numbers. Let them just prove the numbers.”





03:33 pm IST Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao: You must look at BJP’s conspiracy Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao says, “We were all with Shrimanth Patil last night and he had dinner with us. Later, I was informed that he’s missing from the resort. We couldn’t find him despite searching. He was healthy but look at what the BJP has done. He went to Chennai last night and with Savadi (of BJP) he travelled to Mumbai in a special flight. Why is the Maharashtra government giving him protection. It shows that the BJP is completely involved in the House. We are writing you a letter from the Congress urging you to order a police investigation. You must look at the conspiracy of the Bhartiya Janata Party to make him violate the whip. You must bring the MLA back.”





03:26 pm IST Shivalinge Gowda: MLAs are scared. Is this cattle trade? JD(S) leader Shivalinge Gowda says, “MLAs are scared. Is this cattle trade? Why is BJP doing this just for a seat. We appeal to you to protect us. This will be a murder of democracy.”





03:24 pm IST DK Shivakumar in Karnataka Assembly: My party MLAs have been kidnapped DK Shivakumar in Karnataka Assembly says, “My party MLAs have been kidnapped. I have got a call from their family members. I want the Speaker to protect our MLAs as the custodian of the House.”





03:23 pm IST Shrimanth Patil has been carted away: DK Shivakumar DK Shivakumar: Shrimanth Patil of our party has been carted away. I have documentary evidence. He is being held in a hospital despite him saying that he’s healthy.





03:21 pm IST Post lunch session begins in Karnataka Assembly Post lunch session begins in Karnataka Assembly





2:02 pm IST Supreme Court order is an infringement on rights of the party. It is our right to issue a whip: Siddaramaiah Siddaramaiah to Hindustan Times : Our contention is simple, the Supreme Court order is an infringement on the rights of the party. It is our right to issue a whip. Either the Speaker or the court must clarify the status of the MLAs.





1:54 pm IST If we go ahead with confidence motion and rebel MLAs don’t come, it will be a big loss to coalition govt: Siddaramaiah Siddaramaiah, Congress in Karnataka Assembly: If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don’t come to the house because of the Supreme Court order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government. Siddaramaiah, Congress in Karnataka Assembly: If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip applicable & they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government. pic.twitter.com/L6ajtSN5QE — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





1:52 pm IST It is not appropriate to take floor test in this session which is against the Constitution: Siddaramaiah Congress leader Siddaramaiah in Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru: Till we get clarification on Supreme Court’s previous order, it is not appropriate to take floor test in this session which is against the Constitution. Congress leader Siddaramaiah in Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru: Till we get clarification on Supreme Court's previous order, it is not appropriate to take floor test in this session which is against the Constitution. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/4ldtGHM5cS — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





01:43 pm IST Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar: The House is adjourned till 3 pm Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar says, “The House is adjourned for lunch till 3 pm”.





01:42 pm IST HK Patil: House cannot proceed without the Speaker’s ruling HK Patil says,”The House cannot proceed without the Speaker’s ruling on this matter”.





01:38 pm IST Siddaramaiah: Whip will be applicable to all MLAs when party issues one Siddaramaiah insists that whip will be applicable to all MLAs when party issues one.





01:32 pm IST BJP MLA Maduswamy and Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar argues on raising point of order Arguments between BJP MLA Maduswamy and Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar are still on about raising point of order.





01:39 pm IST B S Yeddyurappa acussed of misleading the House D K Shiva Kumar accusses B S Yeddyurappa of misleading the House and the country.





01:29 pm IST B S Yeddyurappa focuses on the two directions of the SC’s verdict As B S Yeddyurappa stands to speak, he tells the Speaker there are two directions in the SC order - That one cannot compel the 15 MLA’s to come to the house and that there will be no impact of whip in case they don’t come.





01:10 pm IST Speaker Ramesh Kumar: If a member chooses not to come, attendants will not permit them to sign attendance register Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar during the debate on trust vote: When a member chooses not to come, our attendants will not permit them to sign the register of attendance. The concerned member will not be entitled to draw any emolument that is meant for the member to be drawn for being present in the House. Karnataka Speaker in Assembly: When a member chooses not to come, our attendants will not permit them to sign the register of attendance. The concerned member will not be entitled to draw any emolument that is meant for the member to be drawn for being present in the House. pic.twitter.com/CEM0i2BsaA — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





01:08 pm IST This House holds Supreme Court in highest esteem: Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar: This House holds Supreme Court in highest esteem. Let me make it clear to leader of Congress Legislature Party that this Office is not restraining you from exercising any of your authorities. I’ve no role to play in that. If you intend to implead yourself as one of the respondents before the Supreme Court for amending this you are at liberty to do so., reports news agency ANI.





12:37 pm IST Discussions are being held on Siddaramaiah’s point of order Discussions are now being held on Siddaramaiah’s point of order. However, HK Patil of Congress argues that a point of order can be raised if the House’s rights have been infringed.

Madhuswamy of the BJP says that this matter cannot be raised in the House.





12:34 pm IST Only ones compelling us to give resignations are from BJP, says Siddaramaiah The only ones compelling us to give our resignations are from the BJP, not these (rebel) MLAs. It is the BJP that is compelling the leaders to not come to the house. They have taken them in special flights, says Siddaramaiah, leading to opposition protests in the Karnataka assembly.





12:05 pm IST We have to tell the truth, says chief minister Kumaraswamy BJP is reportedly apprehensive that the ruling coalition might try to get the debate prolonged as much as possible to buy time in its last ditch effort to shore up numbers before the voting is taken up. Kumaraswamy insisted that doubts had been created about the Congress-JDS coalition and it had to be brought before the country. “We have to tell the truth,” he said: PTI





12:03 pm IST Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil hospitalised in Mumbai Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil who was staying with other Congress MLAs at Windflower Prakruthi Resort in Bengaluru, reached Mumbai last night, currently admitted to a hospital in Mumbai after he complained of chest pain. #Mumbai: Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil who was staying with other Congress MLAs at Windflower Prakruthi Resort in Bengaluru, reached Mumbai last night, currently admitted to a hospital in Mumbai after he complained of chest pain. pic.twitter.com/wojgD6R443 — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





11:59 am IST Siddaramaiah in Vidhan Soudha: I want to raise a point of order Siddaramaiah says, I want to raise a point of order. We need some clarifications from you under rule 351. Already the chief minister has spoken about the 10th Schedule.





11:58 am IST HD Kumaraswamy says, “Not important if the coalition survives, but we must discuss this conspiracy” The Vidhan Soudha is in the pages of Parliamentary history for its conduct. It is not important if the coalition survives, but we must discuss this conspiracy to weaken democracy, says chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.





11:55 am IST Prime Minister has said that country needs a strong govt not mahagathbandhan: HD Kumaraswamy The prime minister has said in the past that the country needs a strong government not a mahagathbandhan. They have not spoken about the work we’ve done about the floods in Kodagu last year and in addressing the drought. The opposition leader has said we have failed then should we not discuss these matters?





11:49 am IST Debate underway in Karnataka Assembly Debate underway in Karnataka Assembly on trust vote. Bengaluru: Debate underway in #Karnataka Assembly on trust vote pic.twitter.com/TBVZHtm3ft — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





11:43 am IST Confidence vote process should be completed in a single day: B S Yeddyurappa As Kumaraswamy moves the motion, opposition BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa says the confidence vote process should be completed in a single day, reports news agency PTI.





11:42 am IST Kumaraswamy moves a one-line motion Kumaraswamy moves a one-line motion, saying the House expresses confidence in the ministry headed by him, reports news agency PTI.





11:41 am IST I haven’t come because there is a question whether I can run a coalition govt or not: HD Kumaraswamy CM HD Kumaraswamy in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru: I haven’t come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators. #Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru: I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators. pic.twitter.com/lgFPBkcYVc — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





11:32 am IST Opposition have raised doubts about the Speaker: Karnataka Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy Karnataka Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy: I will not speak about the court order but they have even raised doubts about the Speaker.





11:30 am IST CM Kumaraswamy: Who is responsible for destabilising this government? Karnataka Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy: I have self respect and so do my ministers. How can I live with this and not discuss this? I have to make clarifications. Who is responsible for destabilising this government?





11:28 am IST Despite coalition govt contesting together, they lost miserably in LS, says CM Kumaraswamy Karnataka Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy: The MLAs have given single line resignations. In the Supreme Court they have said that the government has been rocked by scandals. The IMA scandal, the JSW land scam. In the Lok Sabha, despite the coalition government contesting together, they lost miserably.





11: 26 am IST N Mahesh, BSP MLA, will not attend the Assembly N Mahesh, lone BSP MLA, will not attend the Assembly. His close aide says: “We have not received any instructions from madam so he will not attend today”.





11:24 am IST HD Kumaraswamy: Yet to discus reasons for which we have to face trust vote Karnataka Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy: We have not yet discussed the reasons for which we have to face the trust vote.





11:21 am IST BS Yeddyurappa requests Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to fix a time limit The coalition has listed 26 people to speak in favour of the trust motion. Yeddyurappa requests Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to fix a time limit.





11:05 am IST Andhra Pradesh cabinet meeting was held before the Assembly session Andhra Pradesh cabinet meeting was held today morning before the commencement of Assembly session. The meeting discussed and approved the bills to be introduced in the House. Andhra Pradesh cabinet meeting was held today morning before the commencement of Assembly session. The meeting discussed and approved the bills to be introduced in the House. pic.twitter.com/VQfIqYepY0 — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





10: 51 am IST HD Kumaraswamy arrives at Vidhana Soudha Karnataka Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy arrives at Vidhana Soudha, his government will face floor test today. Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy arrives at Vidhana Soudha, his government will face floor test today. pic.twitter.com/JEbVLOumKy — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





10:40 am IST BS Yeddyurappa & BJP MLAs arrive at Vidhana Soudha BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa & BJP MLAs arrive at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Karnataka government will be facing floor test today. Karnataka: BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa & BJP MLAs arrive at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Karnataka government will be facing floor test today. pic.twitter.com/MBvwjqz7L4 — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





10:35 am IST Siddaramaiah arrives at Vidhana Soudha Congress leader Siddaramaiah arrives at Vidhana Soudha; Karnataka government to face floor test today. Bengaluru: Congress leader Siddaramaiah arrives at Vidhana Soudha; Karnataka government to face floor test today. pic.twitter.com/40l1z9MvZ6 — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





10:33 am IST BS Yeddyurappa at Vidhana Soudha: We are 101 per cent confident BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru: We are 101 per cent confident. They are less than 100, we are 105. There is no doubt that their motion will be defeated. BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru: We are 101 per cent confident. They are less than 100, we are 105. There is no doubt that their motion will be defeated. pic.twitter.com/JdutzxPbaC — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019





10:15 am IST Discussion is scheduled to start around 11 am An air of uncertainty hangs over the session in the backdrop of the top court’s interim order. The discussion on the vote of confidence is scheduled to start around 11 am in the Assembly.





10:09 am IST Beleaguered Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy faces trust vote The state has been simmering since July 7 when 16 MLAs — 13 from the Congress and three from JD(S) — resigned, pushing the Congress-JD(S) coalition government to the brink of collapse.







10: 06 am IST Speaker Ramesh Kumar decided against rushing into accepting resignations The Karnataka coalition has survived so far because Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar decided against rushing into accepting the resignations, insisting that the law required him to satisfy himself that the resignations were voluntary, and not coerced.





10:00 am IST Congress-JDS coalition would need 105 to retain the govt The Congress-JDS coalition would need 105 to retain the government but it has only 101 MLAs. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, has 105 lawmakers in the assembly apart from the promise of support of two more independent legislators.





09:52 am IST Kumaraswamy offered to face the confidence vote last week Chief Minister Kumaraswamy had offered to face the confidence vote last week after nearly 16 coalition lawmakers sent their resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar, threatening to reduce the coalition government to a minority. The strength of the 224-member state assembly would be reduced to 209 if the 16 resignations are accepted.





09:41 am IST R. Ramalinga Reddy may withdraw his resignation Senior Congress ‘rebel’ legislator R. Ramalinga Reddy hinted at withdrawing his resignation. The beleaguered ruling ally is still hoping a few more would turn up in the Assembly to cast their vote in favour of the 13-month-old tottering coalition government. “We are confident of facing and winning the floor test, as our leaders have been trying their best to get as many of the 13 legislators who resigned from the Assembly. With Reddy agreeing to withdraw, we hope more will follow,” Congress spokesman Ravi Gowda told IANS





09:39 am IST How Congress-JD(S) govt slumped into crisis The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government faced the crisis after 16 MLAs resigned from the membership of the Assembly earlier this month. The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.





09:37 am IST Mukul Rohatgi on Supreme Court’s verdict Mukul Rohatgi, the lawyer of rebel MLAs, said: “In view of the trust vote on Thursday, the Supreme Court has said two important things -- 15 MLAs will not be compelled to attend the House tomorrow. All 15 MLAs are given the liberty that may or may not go to the House tomorrow,” reports news agency ANI.





09:35 am IST 15 rebel MLAs cannot be forced to take part in trust vote: Supreme Court A bench of Supreme Court comprising of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose had said that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be forced to take part in the proceedings of the House.





09:33 am IST HD Kumaraswamy’s warning to MLAs Kumaraswamy has warned that if MLAs do not attend the House and vote against the party whip even after attending the session on the day of trust voting, action will be initiated under the rule of Anti-Defection Law and that MLA will be disqualified from his post, reports news agency ANI.



