'We're hungry': Karnataka MLAs' latest excuse to delay the trust vote

Politics

The legislators of the JDS(S)-Congress coalition wasted no time jumping on the excuse. They weren't just hungry. They were hangry.

Theja Ram

It seemed that the JD(S)-Congress MLAs were out of ideas to delay the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly session on Monday until Opposition Leader BS Yeddyurappa inadvertently offered a new lease. It was past 10.30 pm and there seemed no end in sight for the session that had begun at 11 am. Any chance of decorum and sensible debate had almost flown out the window when Yeddyurappa raised a crucial question: “Honourable Speaker, can we adjourn for dinner and reconvene? We are willing to wait as long as possible for the trust vote to happen today (Monday) at any cost.” The legislators of the JDS(S)-Congress coalition wasted no time jumping on the excuse. They weren't just hungry. They were hangry. “Yes, yes. Let’s adjourn for dinner and go home. We are all very hungry,” Congress and JD(S) MLAs, who were already in the well of the House, began yelling. A visibly miffed Speaker sat with his head in its hands. Yeddyurappa munched on cashews nuts to satiate his appetite. The Karnataka Assembly session on Monday, which had convened to debate and vote on the motion of confidence, had dragged on for way too long. The deciding trust vote that could make or break the coalition would have to wait another day — dinnertime beckoned, the MLAs argued.  But food wasn't a good enough reason to satisfy everyone. Unwilling to budge, BJP MLA from Tumkur, JC Madhuswamy, stood up and yelled, “It's OK honourable Speaker, we are willing to stay here till midnight, with or without food.” Silence fell upon the House as Madhuswamy’s statement swept across the room. 'Without food' was not an option that the hungry legislators seemed willing to entertain.  Chaos fueled by hanger soon erupted in the house. Intervening on behalf of the MLAs creating a ruckus, Large Scale Industries Minister KJ George said, "Let's adjourn for dinner and reconvene tomorrow (Tuesday). We are all hungry and we can go home, sleep and start fresh in the morning. A lot of our MLAs still have to speak. We can’t finish this today." Leaders of the ruling coalition had been playing a game of one-upmanship with the Opposition – Who will win in the game of delaying the trust vote? The MLAs of the coalition have waxed lyrical about the opposition’s greed for power and their alleged involvement in the horsetrading of MLAs for the last five days.  Each and every legislator, who spoke in the Assembly has said the same thing, over and over again, albeit in different words -- The BJP's involvement in the horse-trading of MLAs and the party's hand in crippling democracy and assaulting the Constitution. The issue had reached its peak on Monday. From the Opposition and the Speaker to the marshals guarding the doors of the Assembly, everyone wanted the issue to be put to rest. “When can we go home? Is this ever going to end? We are hungry, too,” a marshal said. The delaying tactic was getting under the Speaker’s skin. The clock struck 11 pm and yet he refused to budge. "I am willing to order food from a hotel, eat and continue,” Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said as he ordered decorum in the house. Another bout of sloganeering and shouting began with Congress and JD(S) MLAs shouting. "We are hungry, adjourn the house so we can reconvene tomorrow." It became apparent that the coalition’s MLAs had irritated the Speaker beyond words when Periyapatna MLA Shivalinge Gowda said, “I am diabetic. I don’t have the energy to continue. Please let us go home. Yeddyurappa sir, you are diabetic, too. Please let us adjourn.” Soon, toffees and chocolates were distributed for those who had diabetes and the chaos continued. Holding his head in his hand, a defeated Speaker finally caved to pressure. The sambar rice he had ordered for the MLAs had arrived and a mad rush for dinner ensued. The Assembly was adjourned at 11.30 pm. MLAs, journalists, marshals and bureaucrats, who were still at Vidhana Soudha, began rushing out, hoping for a meal, when one of the marshals announced, “The food is over.”

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JD(S)-Congress continue to delay Karnataka floor test as attention turns to Supreme Court

Politics

As these MLAs remain adamant that they will not return to their respective party folds, the BJP still has a clear advantage.

TNM Staff

As the ruling coalition in Karnataka continues to dilly-dally to delay the floor test, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court. The apex court is set to hear the plea by the two independent MLAs represented by former Attorney General of India, Mukul Rohatgi who had also represented the 15 rebel MLAs. The independents have petitioned the apex court to direct that the floor test be conducted by Monday itself. However, the court did not hear the case until now. Petitions by both the Congress and Chief Minister Kumaraswamy approaching the court seeking clarity over its interim order on the issue of party whip for the rebels is also expected to be heard by a bench led by the Chief Justice of India.   On Tuesday, the political instability, which the state has been facing since July 6, is expected to end after a consistent delay by the ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the rebel MLAs were asked by the Speaker to appear before him by 11 am on Tuesday to defend themselves regarding disqualification petitions against them. As these MLAs remain adamant that they will not return to their respective party folds, the BJP still has a clear advantage. (Note: Please wait for a few moments for the live blog to load. If it doesn't, disable your Adblocker.) 

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IMA scam: Mansoor Khan complains of chest pain but refuses treatment

Crime

It may be recalled that Mansoor Khan, in his last video, has said he has blocks in his heart and was returning for further treatment.

TNM Staff

Mansoor Khan, the prime accused in the multi-crore IMA Ponzi scam, was admitted to a hospital after he complained of chest pain on Monday. According to reports, the officials of the  Enforcement Directorate (ED) had taken him to Victoria Hospital after he complained of uneasiness in his chest, but he was cleared by the doctors there. He was then taken to the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research for a detailed check-up, but Mansoor Khan refused to get admitted, after which he was taken to the ED office.  However, he again complained of chest pain, following which the sleuths took him to cardiac care unit (CCU) of PMSSY Super-Speciality Hospital on the Victoria Hospital campus, where he once again refused to undergo an angiogram as prescribed by doctors. “While he is stable now, an angiogram is required to diagnose if he has any underlying blockages. However, he is adamant that he does not want the procedure. We will wait until 10 am on Tuesday. If he still does not to get it done, we will discharge him by 11 am,” PMSSY Special Officer PG Girsh told The Hindu. It may be recalled a few days before Mansoor Khan returned to India, he had stated in a video that he had a few blocks in his heart and was coming back for further treatment.  Mansoor, who has been absconding since June, returned to India on Friday and the ED was granted three days custody by a Bengaluru court. However, with considering the delays by Mansoor, the ED might seek more time. Mansoor has been accused of running a ‘halal’ Ponzi scheme – where the money is diverted from new investors to older investors – in the name of I Monetary Advisory (IMA). He fled India around June 13, when the scam surfaced. He has been accused of cheating 40,000 investors to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore.  According to Islam, earning from interests are considered "haram", so they don't invest in fixed deposits or other investment instruments.

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K'taka Assembly goes late into Monday night, CM told to face trust vote by 6pm on Tue

Politics

With the two Independents supporting the BJP, which has 105 legislators, 107 votes will be against the motion in the division of votes vis-a-vis 100 of the ruling combine, including N. Mahesh of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

IANS

PTI/File

Amid late Monday night drama in the Karnataka Assembly, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar directed Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to face floor test on Tuesday by 6 pm to prove majority in the House. "I am adjourning the House nearly at midnight to meet again on Tuesday at 10 a.m. for concluding the debate on the confidence motion by 4 p.m. and holding the floor test by 6 p.m.," Kumar told the members and left the Assembly premises in a huff. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, who waited since morning for the crucial floor test, protested against the Speaker for adjourning the session without the floor test, he promised them on Friday and throughout the day. "The Speaker betrayed us again by adjourning the House without the floor test for the fourth time since July 18 after assuring us that he would not defer it beyond Monday," a weary and grim-faced BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa told reporters outside the Assembly. A miffed Speaker asked Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah how much more time the ruling allies would need to conclude the debate on the motion for the floor test. When the former Chief Minister said the ruling allies would complete the debate by 6 p.m. for the floor test by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, the Speaker advanced it (trust vote) by 6 p.m. and to end the debate by 4 p.m. The Chief Minister moved the confidence motion on July 18 to prove majority after the 14-month fledgling JD-S-Congress coalition government was reduced to minority following the resignation of 15 rebel legislators of the ruling combine and withdrawal of support by two Independents in the 225-member Assembly, including one nominated without voting right. Earlier, a tense Kumaraswamy beseeched the Speaker for two more days to face the floor test after his reply to the motion. "In view of the fast-changing circumstances since July 19 and a few petitions coming up in the Supreme Court on Tuesday for hearing and ruling on issues concerning our parties and the state, we request you to defer the floor test to Wednesday," Kumaraswamy told the Speaker. Admitting that Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah and he had assured the House on Friday of completing the debate for the floor test on Monday, the Chief Minister alleged that a fake resignation letter with his forged signature and address to state Governor Vajubhai Vala was being circulated in the social media like WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook since late evening when he was in the Assembly. "I don't know who is so desperate for my resignation that a fake letter was prepared with my forged signature and shared in the social media. It also made it to the print and electronic media, which brought it to my office's notice. This mischief needs to be investigated to find who all are behind this," Kumaraswamy told the Speaker in Kannada. Even as the ruling members were on their feet for adjourning the session, Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara left the House quietly as they left the debate on the motion to the Speaker. Congress state president Dinesh Gundu Rao said the top court has listed for hearing on Tuesday the petitions filed by his party, JD-S, chief minister and two Independents on issues pertaining to the coalition government, the trust vote, the July 17 interim order of the three-judge bench, saying the 15 rebel legislators who resigned cannot be compelled to attend the session for the floor test and the Governor'S three messages to the chief minister to prove his majority on July 17 and July 18. With the 15 rebels, including 12 of the Congress and 3 of the JD-S deciding not to attend the session and two Congress legislators (B. Nagendra and Srimant Patil) admitted in Bengaluru and Mumbai private hospitals, the strength of the allies in the House was 99 (65 out of 79 of the Congress plus 34 out of 37 of the JD-S), including the Speaker (from Congress) in the 225-member Assembly. With the two Independents supporting the BJP, which has 105 legislators, 107 votes will be against the motion in the division of votes vis-a-vis 100 of the ruling combine, including N. Mahesh of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). "The voting takes place on the basis of the members present in the House. But with only 100 members on his side, Kumaraswamy will inevitably face defeat when the motion will be put to vote, as the new halfway mark will be 105 out of 208 (225-17)," BJP spokesman G. Madhusudana told IANS here.

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Ousted Planned Parenthood chief called abortion ‘the fight of our time’

Memo appears to contradict Leana Wen’s claim that she tried to depoliticize abortion, leading to her firing.

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Fake resignation letter of HD Kumaraswamy circulates, CM alleges BJP hand

Karnataka Crisis

"They (BJP) have created a fake resignation letter and the electronic media is showing it," Kumaraswamy said.

TNM Staff

A fake letter, claiming to be a resignation note by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, was circulated on Monday night, adding to the drama at the Karnataka Assembly. “Due to my personal reasons, I'm tendering my resignation from the post of chief minister of Karnataka. Kindly accept my resignation and relieve the council of the minister of Karnataka appointed by me on 22/07/2019,” the fake letter read.  While the CMO had denied the letter, the Chief Minister himself mentioned the letter on the floor of the assembly on Monday night. “Look at the kind of politics they (BJP) are perpetrating. They have created a fake resignation letter and the electronic media is showing it. It is on social media," the CM informed the Speaker during the late night debate. When BJP members objected to the allegation, the CM said, "What disrespect have we perpetrated? The kind of drama you have done... Congress' Krishna Byre Gowda has revealed your true colours. And you are talking about disrespect?” the Chief Minister asked BJP. The letter had become viral on WhatsApp groups and on social media. It was shown in various news channels as the letter was kept on Kumaraswamy's table in the assembly. His staff later clarified that the printout of the letter was given to the CM to inform him that such a letter was being circulated. CM Kumaraswamy had earlier asked the Speaker for two more days to hold the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly to determine the fate of the coalition government. This, after a prolonged discussion was held on Monday in the Karnataka Assembly in which Congress and JD(S) leaders attempted to reason with the Speaker that the issues pertaining to disqualification and resignations of MLAs be completed. This is the second fake letter row in Karnataka in the past year. Earlier, the BJP circulated a forged letter, which was also published by Kannada paper Vijayvani, purportedly written by Home Minister MB Patil to Sonia Gandhi, claiming that the two had “conspired to break the Lingayat community in 2017”. The letter had stated that the only way to increase Congress tally is by dividing Hindus and subsequently uniting Christians and Muslims. The 15 rebel MLAs of the Congress and the JD(S) have been camping in Maharashtra, including Srimant Patil, who fled from a resort in the city on July 17. The halfway mark of the 224-member House is 112 with the magic number being 113. However, with the rebel MLAs set to miss the trust vote, the halfway mark will come down to 104.

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Homigo case: Trouble for victims as founders approach HC to stop police probe

Crime

Around 80 families are affected due to the company holding back Rs 20 crore.

Soumya Chatterjee

Victims who lost money due to Bengaluru real estate startup Homigo were granted two weeks’ time on Friday by the Karnataka High Court to oppose the startup's contention that a probe by the Central Crime Branch of the city police against the company and its founders be dropped. This after the advocate representing the accused approached the HC pleading that the case be treated as a civil case and hence the police probe should be dropped. Representatives from the victims’ side said they will push for the police probe to continue even though the victims are unhappy with the slow pace of the investigation. “Our lawyer is hopeful that we have a strong case. It will be really bad for us if the criminal case is dropped. There is no way then that we will get our money back,” Vikrant*, one of the victims told TNM. Officials of the City Crime Branch could not be reached for a comment. It may be recalled that the case was handed over to the CCB by then City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar after multiple cases were registered against the company in various police stations in the city. Homigo worked on a model where they leased properties or apartments and sub-leased it to a customer after furnishing, by charging a premium. The company had raised funding from multiple investors such as Mebelkart and Livespace. It was operating close to 30 properties across the city.  The scam had come to light when many residents living in Homigo properties were suddenly asked to vacate their homes overnight as the company defaulted on their payments to the original property owners.  Since then all the three founders — Jatin Mitruka, Aaskash Verma and Nikunj Batheja—all alumni of IIT-Kanpur, continue to remain absconding. Their plea for anticipatory bail had also been rejected.  In addition to losing their homes, the tenants were also at risk of losing their deposit and lease money. Security deposits up to Rs 50,000–  and for some, lease amounts to the tune of lakhs – continue to be stuck with Homigo. Other than these residents, Homigo has allegedly defaulted on paying its own employees and blue collar staff contractors. While now, many of the customers who were on rental basis have moved away from the case, those who stayed on lease are still caught in this legal tangle. “For those who were staying in rent, the security deposit being two months rent, they went for a compromise with the original owners by staying one month or a little more for free. But our money, in total of Rs 20 crore is stuck,” Vikrant said. *Name changed 

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