Karnataka crisis: Speaker can’t be forced to take decision within time frame, says CJI

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said Karnataka Assembly Speaker cannot be forced to take a decision within a time frame with respect to resignations of 15 rebel MLAs.

The Apex Court also said that it cannot force the rebel MLAs to participate in the Trust Vote on Thursday.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, said, “Speaker can not be forced to take a decision within a time frame with respect to the resignation issue of rebel MLAs.”

The Apex Court heard yesterday all the detailed arguments from senior lawyer Mukul Rohatagi, appearing for 15 rebel MLAs, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi for Speaker, and Dr Rajeev Dhawan for Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

The Top Court also said that larger question raised in the case on the role of Speaker could be answered at later stage but interim order is required to maintain Constitutional balance.

The rebel MLAs had told the Apex Court that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government has lost majority and Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar by keeping their resignations hanging is attempting to prolong a Government which has been reduced to minority. (UNI)