Bangalore: Opposition Congress and JDS on Monday demanded the immediate dismissal of the BJP government in Karnataka, questioning the method adopted in winning the trust vote.
Senior Congress leader and in-charge of Karnataka affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad said it was blatant misuse of the Speaker's authority. "The speaker has no jurisdiction outside the House. He could have taken action only had the BJP rebels defied the whip. He also disqualified Independents. No political party has any jurisdiction on Independents. It was illegal."
"How can the police commissioner be inside the House? Had the media been allowed inside, they would have reported the reality from inside the House. It is for the legislators to choose the course. I have never seen such misuse of power and anarchy. Whatever has happened is uncalled for," he added.
Azad ruled out any understanding with the Janata Dal (Secular). He said, "There is no question of being hand in glove with the JDS. But we're both in Opposition."
Meanwhile the Union Home ministry sources said: "What happened in Karnataka is total abuse of Constitutional powers, a violation of the 10th schedule of the Constitution. Disqualification of MLAs is unconstitutional."
Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily says suspension of Independents was against Consitutional norms. Moily said: "Bommai case is not applicable here, there was utter pandemonium in the House. The Speaker was partial and we had 118 members in the House voting against the government."
"How then can the BJP say they won the trust vote? The Governor is a man of experience. He knows what he's doing and it's upto him now to take the decision. And, the Speaker has no right to suspend the Independents," he added.
Former Prime Minister and JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda came down heavily on the BJP government as well as the Speaker, saying: "This is one of the most corrupt governments. The Speaker has not acted as per law."
Soon after the trust vote, Congress and JDS members along with disqualified MLAs came in a procession from the state Assembly to Raj Bhavan to meet Governor H R Bhardwaj. Besides opposition MLAs, their party men also gathered in front of Raj Bhavan and raised slogans.
"The trust vote moved by Chief Minister is illegal. He violated rules and regulations of the House. A government which had no majority wins the trust vote by voice vote flouting all norms," JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy said.
"We will demand the dismissal of the BJP Government with immediate effect. The Centre and President Pratibha Patil should intervene," Kumaraswamy and KPCC President R V Deshpande demanded.
Meanwhile, Congress, JDS and BJP rebels are in the Raj Bhavan to call on the Governor and to display their combined strength.
(With inputs from PTI)
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