Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa , unlike his third term where he had to resign on account of lack of numbers, on Monday won the trust vote in a depleted house of 208 members.

The win ensures that Yediyurappa government will be in place for at least the next six months as a no-confidence motion cannot be moved prior to that period.

With 17 disqualified MLAs, the Karnataka assembly house strength dropped from its customary 225 members and gave the BJP exactly 105 votes to prove its majority, apart from the support of independent MLA H Nagesh.

No sooner was the trust vote declared and the assembly passed the finance bill (vote on account) for a period of three months along with the supplementary buget, speaker K R Ramesh Kumar resigned from his post even before the ruling BJP party could move a no-confidence motion against him.

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In an anti-climax to what was seen just three days ago, when former CM HD Kumaraswamy decided to seek a division of votes and failed to prove numbers, Yediyurappa’s trust vote was passed with a voice vote as the combined opposition of Congress-JD(S) knew it did not have the numbers.

Placing the motion to seek the trust of the house, Yediyurappa reiterated his stance of “forget and forgive” and assured the opposition that he will not practice vendetta politics for the remainder of three years and 10 months tenure which he has got.

“I express my gratitude to opposition leader Siddaramaiah and former CM HD Kumaraswamy for having not practiced vendetta politics during their tenures and assure that I too shall not indulge in the same for the remainder of this tenure of three years and 10 months,” said Yediyurappa.

Yediyurappa said his priority at present was to bring back the administration of the state, on track, claiming that it had derailed in the last 14 months.

Reacting to this, both Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy said it was baseless accusations, with the latter even asking from evidence in the house over where the administration was derailed.

The two leaders, who were at the centre of the coalition regime, challenged Yediyurappa and said he was seeking a trust vote for an undemocratic and unconstitutional formation of government.

“I strongly condemn the trust vote sought for by CM Yediyurappa as the BJP government is unconstitutional and undemocratic in nature,” said Siddaramaiah.

The Congress opposition leader chided Yediyurappa and said not once has the CM come to power with complete mandate from the people.

“Even in 2008 when Yediyurappa became CM, he did not have the numbers. In his second term, the BJP won 110 and was wholly dependent upon the six independents who pledged their support. Even now, the BJP has won 105 seats and does not have the numbers to actually prove a complete majority if the house is at full strength,” said Siddaramaiah.

The opposition leader said BJP will be unable to give a stable government, considering it will have to accomodate the 15 rebels who have been disqualified by the Speaker.

“We will see how long you will be CM. There is no guarntee that you will be at the helm for long, considering that even this time you will have to depend on the rebels to support your government,” he said.

JD(S) house leader and former CM Kumaraswamy said he had given his best to the state for the last 14 months and asked Yediyurappa to present a white paper on the farmer loan waiver scheme he had initiated.

“Let the incumbent CM and the BJP government present the acutal facts of the loan waiver scheme, which they had criticised throughout my 14 month tenure. Let them implement the debt relief act which was passed on the last day of my tenure,” he said.

Kumaraswamy also chided Yediyurappa, who did not react to any of it, by citing that he did not thank the rebels for their role in ensuring that he could become the CM.

“I hope that you will fulfill your promises to them,” said a sarcastic Kumaraswamy.

After passage of the trust vote and finance bill, speaker Kumar said he was indebted to Yediyurappa, Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy for having given him the opportunity to become the speaker of the house, and tendered his resignation.



In Video: BS Yediyurappa wins trust vote in Karnataka assembly