Karnataka floor test LIVE Updates: D-day looms for Kumaraswamy government at the Vidhan Soudha, political crisis to reach climax

Proceedings commence in Karnataka Assembly for the floor test.

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy speaks in in Vidhana Soudha, says "I have not 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."

Kumaraswamy questions the House during trust vote debate in Assembly, asks "Who is responsible for destabilising this government?"

Speaker Ramesh Kumar allows for the whip to be applied on all MLAs in the Karnataka Assembly.

Number of MLAs currently present in the Assembly for the floor test:

15 rebel MLAs, 2 Independents, 2 Congress MLAs, 1 BSP MLA not present for the Trust Vote, which brings the House to 204 out of 225, including the Speaker. The halfway mark for the majority will be 103 in the case.

The Karnataka Assembly is set to go for a floor test on Thursday, a day after the Supreme Court ruled the order that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to take part in the state Assembly proceedings.

Kumaraswamy issues whip:

JD(S) leader and CM Kumaraswamy has issued whip to all 34 party MLAs including the rebel MLAs. As per the whip, if the MLAs do not attend the assembly session or vote in the floor test or vote against the party, then action will be initiated  against them under Anti-defection law. 

How will the floor test take place?

Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh will conduct the floor test to establish the majority in the house. CM Kumaraswamy will have to move a vote of confidence and in order to remain in power, will have to win a majority. If he fails to win the no-confidence motion, Kumaraswamy will have to resign from the post of CM.

The SC judgement stating that the 15 rebel Congress-JDS(S) MLAs cannot be forced to attend the Assembly proceedings has certainly put Kumaraswamy's coaltion government in trouble since the government may fall if the rebel MLAs do not vote for him in the floor test.

Here are the numbers:

Before mass exodus, the Congress-JD(S) coalition government had 117 MLAs. After the resignations of 16 MLAs, the number has come down to 101. 

If the 15 MLAs do not participate in the floor test, the strength of the House will be reduced to 210, including the Speaker from the 225-member aasembly. The halfway mark to prove majority will also reduce to 106. However, after the resignations of 15 MLAs, the Kumaraswamy government has just 102 MLAs in its kitty, and along with the lone support of the one BSP MLA, their number may increase to 103, which is still lesser than the halfway mark. 

Amid the developments, Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy, who had resigned earlier has said that he will remain in Congress party and vote in favour of Karnataka government in the trust vote. 

READ | Karnataka Crisis: SC Says Rebel MLAs Not To Be Compelled To Take Part In Assembly Proceedings, Speaker Free To Decide On Resignations As Per His Time-frame

Yeddyurappa expressed confidence:

BJP Karnataka President BS Yeddyurappa reaches the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Speaking to media, he expresses confidence over winning the no-confidence motion.

"We are 101 per cent confident. They (Congress-JD(S) are less than 100, we are 105. There is no doubt that their motion will be defeated," Yeddyurappa said. 

Congress leader Siddharamaiah arrives at the Vidhan Soudha:

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy arrives at Vidhana Soudha for the floor test.