NEW DELHI: The BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa, who was sworn in yesterday as Chief Minister of a minority government in Karnataka, has to prove its majority at 4 pm tomorrow, the Supreme Court has said.Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala had controversially given Mr Yeddyurappa 15 days to prove his majority.
The BJP is eight members short of the 112-majority mark in Karnataka, but was invited by the Governor instead of the Congress-Janata Dal Secular combine, which has 116 members.The Congress went to the Supreme Court against the governor’s decision on Wednesday night. After an all-night hearing, the court allowed Mr Yeddyurappa’s swearing in, but raised questions about the 15-day grace period for a test of strength and said the petition would be taken up again today.
“Better that the floor test is on Saturday (tomorrow) so that nobody gets any time,” said the judges. Former central government lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, representing Mr Yeddyurappa, argued that majority can be proved only on the floor of the house.Amid fear of defection, the Congress-JDS combine has moved around 116 lawmakers to Hyderabad.
