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Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi has asked Chief Minister N Dharam Singh to prove his majority on or before 27th Jan, a move which the BJP has described as a "grave Constitutional error."
Talking to newsmen in Bangalore, Chaturvedi said that a situation had arisen in "which doubts have been raised on whether the government headed by Dharam Singh enjoyed majority in the assembly."
He said that he had requested the Chief Minister to prove that his government enjoys majority in the House on or before 27th January "as this is one clear week from the day that I was informed that a question has come up on whether the government has a majority, and thus, in my view, constitute a reasonable period of time to permit the Chief Minister to probe his majority".
He said he would like to assure the people of Karnataka and all political parties, that all decisions would be taken in keeping with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, impartially, and without fear or favour, in consonance with the "oath that I had the privilege to take upon my assumption of the office of the governor of the state."
On day two of the political crisis triggered by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda's son H D Kumaraswamy who withdrew the support of 46 JD (S) MLAs to the 20-month old coalition government, the Governor began his day by making his customary address to the joint session of the legislature against BJP's demand.
Reacting to his father's statement against his action, Kumaraswamy said "this not betrayal. For the last 20 months, the Congress party has humilated my father and party legislators. We have not betrayed father or the party."
Meanwhile, the BJP termed Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi's decision to grant nine days to the "minority" Dharama Singh Government to prove his majority as a "grave Constitutional error," and demanded immediate convening of the state Assembly for trial of strength.
Talking to newsmen in New Delhi, party General Secretary and Spokesman Arun Jaitley said that with the JD (S) and BJP coming together, the political situation in the state had become very clear as the alliance enjoyed the support of over 130 MLAs.
He added that when the Assembly session was on, there was no need for any advance notice and the trial of strength could be even on a day's notice.
Recalling that the Supreme Court had in the Jharkhand Assembly case last year given only three days time even when the Assembly was not in session, he said, "in Karnataka, the session is in progress and there is no reason why such an unduly long period is being given to a minority Government to prove its majority. The Governor is making a gross Constitutional error."
Earlier, after the adjourmenet of the state Legislative Assembly to 27th January, Singh said he would seek a vote of confidence on 27th Jan.
Singh also firmly ruled out his resignation after seeing off the Governor T N Chaturvedi who delivered his address to the joint session of the state legislature.
Talking to newsmen, Singh asserted, "I will not step down."
The session was boycotted by the legislators of BJP and Kumaraswamy-led JDS who claimed the government had lost its majority
Both parties have already staked claim to form an alternative government.
Asked about the letter submitted by Kumaraswamy about withdrawal of support to the government, Singh said JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda had also submitted a letter requesting the Governor not to take cognizance of it.
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