SC notice to Karnataka Speaker on disqualified MLAs' plea to contest by-elections

Agencies

September 23, 2019

New Delhi, Sept 23: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Karnataka Assembly Speaker on an interim plea of 17 disqualified Congress-JD(S) MLAs, seeking its directions to allow them to contest Assembly bypolls scheduled on October 21 in the state.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice N V Ramana, sought a response from the Karnataka Assembly Speaker on the former MLAs' petition. "Issue notice to state (Karnataka) Assembly Speaker (respondent) in the case, and we need a reply from him," the bench said.

The court will hear on Wednesday their petition challenging the disqualification and the interim plea seeking its direction to contest the bypolls.

During the course of hearing, senior advocate and former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the disqualified MLAs, pleaded before the court to suspend the bypolls in the constituencies once represented by his clients.

The Election Commission (EC) told the court that the former MLAs can contest the bypolls despite they being disqualified from the Assembly. The by-elections should take place as per schedule, the EC submitted.

"Elections should not be stayed. The state Speaker can disqualify but can't deprive the ex-MLAs from contesting the elections," the commission submitted.

By-elections in Karnataka will take place on October 21 and counting of votes will be held on October 24.

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JD(S) leader G T Devegowda backs CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA row, taunts HDK

News Network

October 4,2024

Mysuru: Chairman of JD(S) core committee and Chamundeshwari constituency MLA G T Devegowda on Thursday expressed his solidarity with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying the latter need not resign, while lambasting leaders of his own party and alliance partner BJP, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

In his speech during Mysuru Dasara inauguration he said that if persons against whom FIR is registered have to resign, many leaders from all the three parties, including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, will have to resign.

“All are sitting in glass houses... Since I know Siddaramaiah well, I am talking about him. At a time when mines and real estate are ruling politics, Siddaramaiah has survived in politics. He has never done any favour,” Devegowda said.

He added, “Allegations against Siddaramaiah are unexpected and accidental. If the Governor and Chief Justice order an investigation, it does not mean that he should resign."

He continued, asking, "Have they told Siddaramaiah to resign or have they asked to imprison him? When a person becomes a Central minister, he or she should realise their dignity and responsibility. Instead of recognising the good work done by Siddaramaiah, they ask him to resign. Will Kumarswamy (facing an FIR) resign? Should Siddaramaiah, who has become CM with a support of 135 MLAs, resign?"

"Opposition leaders are not remembering the good work of earlier CMs Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Veerendra Patil, Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda or S M Krishna. Karnataka is a model state. It is a bad trend to topple an elected government which is doing good work,” he further said.

Devegowda added, “Siddaramaiah is Goddess Chamundeshwari’s ‘Varaputra’ and hence has her blessings during tough times. He won the election in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, when the BJP-JD(S) government was in power in 2006. With the blessings of the Goddess, he has held varied positions right from becoming an MLA for the first time in 1983. He presented 15 budgets and has become CM for a second time. He took H C Mahadevappa, a Dalit leader to the state level. Siddaramaiah has the support of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar as ‘Jodeththu’. Blessings of the beneficiaries of guarantee schemes are with him (Siddaramaiah).”

Siddaramaiah said, “Devegowda was a MUDA member. He knows the truth. Hence, he is saying this. His words have filled strength in me. ‘Satyameva Jayate’, Truth will always triumph.”

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