Karnataka political crisis live updates: BJP moving MLAs to resort is cowardice at display, says JD(S)

After BJP MLAs were moved to a resort, Janata Dal Secular JD(S) said that the BJP government's "cowardice was at display" as it was afraid of the floor test. It also said that the state government would win the confidence vote by a huge margin.

Why is BJP herding its MLAs to a resort now?
We will not stoop to your level and poach MLAs.

Why are you afraid of the floor test, when you claim to have majority? The cowardice of BJP is at display!@hd_kumaraswamy will win the confidence vote by a huge margin. Wait n watch!

— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) July 12, 2019

BJP MLAs moved to Ramada resort from the state assembly, news agency ANI reported.

#correction Bengaluru: BJP MLAs leaving for Ramada resort from state assembly. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/wT285QLw0x

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2019

We are confident that is why we are moving the vote of confidence motion. BJP is afraid because they know there are black sheep in their party, tells former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah to news agency ANI.

Former Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru: We are confident that is why we are moving vote of confidence motion. BJP is afraid because they know there are black sheep in their party. pic.twitter.com/EKyd1vDT0A

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2019

His statement comes after CM HD Kumaraswamy said that he was ready for a trust vote to prove his majority on the floor of the house.

Today, there are many things happening in our state's politics because of the decisions of many MLAs, which has created a difficult situation. I am not here to sit in power, I appeal to you that in light of the developments I want to move a trust motion, says CM Kumaraswamy.

The apex court has, meanwhile, ordered a status quo and said that it will hear rebel Karnataka MLAs' plea again on July 16.

The Karnataka CM has asked the Speaker to fix time for a trust vote in the state assembly.  

After all these developments, I am seeking your permission and time to prove the majority in this session: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy 

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy in Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru: After all these developments, I am seeking your permission & time to prove the majority in this session. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/olx8BZ90Xx

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2019

We will give a whip to attend the session from today to the end of this month: BS Yeddyurappa, BJP, on Karnataka Assembly ssession beginning today.

We'll ask the court to implement its order so that Speaker takes a decision as soon as possible. If all MLAs appeared before him, gave affidavits and moved SC that they want to resign, what further verification is required I don't understand: Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi.

Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar has given appointment for 4:00 PM today to three of the five MLAs whose resignations were in the prescribed format, reports ANI.

Karnataka rebel MLAs returned to Renaissance - Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel - late on Thursday. They had met Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in Bengaluru after they were directed by Supreme Court to meet the Speaker at 6 PM and resubmit their resignations.

Mumbai: Karnataka rebel MLAs returned to Renaissance - Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel late last night. They had met Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in Bengaluru y'day after they were directed by Supreme Court to meet the Speaker at 6 pm & resubmit their resignations. pic.twitter.com/Skdf2ehiIJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2019

Congress-JDS coalition in the state is going strong despite the efforts to destabilise. We are confident and prepared for a smooth and fruitful conduct of legislative sessions: CM HD Kumaraswamy. 

Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar had asserted that he needs time to examine the resignations submitted by rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs. A top court bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had said on Thursday that the decision taken by the Speaker has to be interim.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar: I need to examine these resignations (of rebel MLAs) all night and ascertain if they are genuine. pic.twitter.com/cLZY5Jk8cn

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2019

The Supreme Court is also expected to hear a plea filed by a group of dissident Karnataka ruling coalition MLAs seeking its intervention in the case. In their plea, the MLAs have accused the assembly Speaker of not discharging his constitutional duties and not approving their resignations.

The chief whip of the Congress-JSD coalition government, Ganesh Hukkeri, had issued a whip asking all legislators of both the parties to attend the first day of Monsoon Session of Assembly on Friday.

The Monsoon session of the Karnataka assembly will begin from Friday in order to pass the finance bill.