SC to hear Congress plea on Friday

Bengaluru: Amidst the clash for power in Karnataka, Governor Vajubhai Vala has invited BJP’s B.S. Yeddyurappa to form the government in the State. Yeddyurappa was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on May 17 at 9 am. But the decision of the Governor has prompted the Congress to appeal to the Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, the JD(S)-Congress duo and the BJP had submitted a list of the MLAs supporting them. The JD(S) and the BJP have also elected the leaders of their respective Legislative Parties. But when the Governor invited the BJP to form the government in the State, instead of the JD(S)-Congress combine, the latter approached the Supreme Court and pressed for an instant judgement, forcing the court to hold a midnight hearing.

The court has said that it cannot stay the swearing-in ceremony, but will make it subject to the outcome of the case. The court asked the Attorney-General to produce the May 15 and May 16 letters given to the Governor by Yeddyurappa, staking his claim to form the government. The case will be proceeded at 10:30 am on Friday. The court observed that if the Governor “dared to make a one-man party CM”, it could not do anything to prevent the CM from taking oath, but could only stay his government from functioning.