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Updated May 25th, 2018 at 16:03 IST

LIVE: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy to face floor test at Vidhana Soudha as Congress-JD(S) seek to prove their numbers. All updates here

The intense political drama and intrigue that unfolded in Karnataka as a result of the Assembly elections in the state could finally come to an end on Friday, ten days after the votes were counted and the results declared. Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will face a floor test at the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha in order to prove the majority of his Congress-JD(S) alliance government.

Reported by: Ankit Prasad
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Update at 4:01 pm: DK Shivakumar addresses media - 

'They should have heard us. They lose their patience.'

'They cannot waste public money. They cannot create law and order situation problems.'

'He tried to divide us. We have taken a decision following the direction of the high-command'

Update at 3:46 pm: After BJP MLAs walk out of assembly, Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy wins floor test with support of 117 MLAs

Update at 3:30 pm: The mandate of the people was for BJP. However, both Congress and JD(S) have manifested the unholy alliance and people are unhappy about it: BJP lawmaker on why his party staged a walkout before the floor test

Update at 3:23 pm: Kumaraswamy speaks after BJP MLAs all walk out of the Assembly

Update at 3:21 pmYeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy face off over corruption charges. BJP stages walkout.

Update at 3:19 pm: The JD(S) first family has distributed nearly 50 properties to family members

Update at 3:17 pm: 'Rs 53,000 crore farm loan is pending', says Yeddyurappa

Update at 3:14 pm: Yeddyurappa labels Kumaraswamy a 'Chameleon'.

'Motive of JD(S) and Congress is to keep Modi out'

Update at 3:13 pm: 'It is in Kumaraswamy's nature to betray people. He dumped Congress' Dharam Singh', says Yeddyurappa

'Injustice meted out to Siddaramaiah. He was chased out by father-son from JD(S)'

Update at 3:09 pm: Ideals are more important in politics, says Yeddyurappa 

'Kumaraswamy doesn't have the mandate'

'Kumaraswamy is exacting revenge now. He is a vengeful person'

Update at 3:08 pm: Yeddyurappa to DK Shivakumar - 'You should have been CM'

'This government won't last.'

'This government is cursed'

Update at 3:07 pm: Former CM Yeddyurappa speaks in the assembly and calls the Congress-JD(S) alliance unholy

Update at 2:40 pm: Floor test begins

Update at 2:12 pm:

Kumaraswamy - 'I feel bad instructing my MLAs to stay in a resort. I had to instruct them to do so to shield them from poaching by the BJP.'

'A black mark in my political career is forming a government with the BJP in 2006. I have repented for past 10 years for it.'

Update at 1:48 pm: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy moves trust motion in Assembly

'People of Karnataka have given a mandate and we have decided to go ahead with a coalition government.'

'Dr Ambedkar laid a strong foundation by giving the Constitution.'

'I thank the Congress leaders for approaching me to form a government. G Parameshwara was the first to call me and give an invitation.'

Update at 12:39 pm:

Yeddyurappa says the following about Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar - 

We decided that we will unanimously elect you as Speaker. We have enough respect for you.

We are confident that you will give us an ample chance to speak in this Assembly. You will be unbiased, we know that.

We will cooperate with you. We will work for the betterment of Karnataka

​​​​​​Update at 12:27 pm: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy addressing the assembly; hails Ramesh Kumar's election as Speaker

Update at 12:24 pm: Congress' KR Ramesh Kumar elected Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly

Update at 12:12 pm: MLAs enter Vidhana Soudha assembly hall

Update at 12:09 pm: Congress Legislative Party meeting underway in Vidhana Soudha. Senior leader DK Shivakumar and MLA Anand Singh also present

Update at 10:40 am: BJP legislature party meeting to be held in a private hotel shortly in Bengaluru. Meeting will be headed by BS Yeddyurappa. BJP MLAs to reach Vidhana Soudha in 3 private buses.

Update at 10:31 am: Congress MLAs and senior leaders in a huddle. DK Shivakumar skips meeting. JD(S) MLAs-Kumaraswamy in a huddle as well.

Update at 9:34 am: Congress issues whip to its MLAs ahead of Speaker election and floor test

Update at 9:30 am:

Keep up with all the updates on the Kumaraswamy floor test here and watch live here


The intense political drama and intrigue that unfolded in Karnataka as a result of the Assembly elections in the state could finally come to an end on Friday, ten days after the votes were counted and the results declared. Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will face a floor test at the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha in order to prove the majority of his Congress-JD(S) alliance government.

In a contrast to Kumaraswamy's immediate predecessor BS Yeddyurappa who was similarly scheduled to face a floor test last Saturday but resigned as CM minutes before it was supposed to begin, presumably as he didn't have the numbers, Kumaraswamy is expected to clear the hurdle.

While the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the May 12 election securing 104 seats, it fell short of the 112 magic figure needed for a majority. Meanwhile, despite the Congress being reduced to just 78 seats and the JD(S) winning only 37, the former offered the latter its unconditional support to form a government. Along with three other MLAs, the Congress-JD(S) alliance has claimed to have 117 seats (Kumaraswamy won from two constituencies).

After both sides staked their claim to form a government, a massive controversy had broken out as the Karnataka Governor invited the BJP and Yeddyurappa to form a government and gave them 15 days to prove their majority on the floor of the house. The matter was challenged at an emergency over-night hearing in the Supreme Court, which a day later held that a floor test should be held the very next day, which eventually saw Yeddyurappa announcing his resignation in an emotional speech where he accused the Congress and the JD(S) of hijacking the people's mandate.

Kumaraswamy was sworn in on Wednesday in a ceremony that saw a number of Opposition leaders including several party chiefs and Chief Ministers coming together in a show of strength and unity. Both parties have, however, kept their MLAs on a short leash to prevent any defections as they had feared before the Yeddyurappa floor test. At that time, both parties had sent their MLAs all the way to Hyderabad to avoid horse-trading. 

On Friday, the speaker of the Assembly will first be elected, which is scheduled to take place at 12:30 pm. Currently, a pro tem speaker is in place -- BJP's KG Bopaiah. The BJP has nominated S Suresh Kumar for the post while the Congress has backed Ramesh Kumar. The election between the pair could be a curtain raiser for the events to come. Following that, the Kumaraswamy is to move his confidence motion at 3:30 pm. The ministerial berths and portfolios are also yet to be announced, apart from the Congress' G Parameshwara who has been sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister and the post-sharing agreement that will see the Congress have 22 berths and the JD(S), 12.

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Published May 25th, 2018 at 08:54 IST

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