Karnataka LIVE: SC says Speaker free to decide, MLAs can't be forced to attend assembly

The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict, at 10:30 am on Wednesday, July 17, on the petition filed by 15 Karnataka rebel MLAs.

The apex court heard the plea by the rebel MLAs on Tuesday. They had moved the court apprehending disqualification, due to the delay in their resignations getting accepted by the Speaker.

Speaker KR Ramesh also sought time till Wednesday to decide on the disqualification and resignation of the rebel MLAs. The court, during the hearing on Tuesday, asked Speaker what stopped him for accepting or rejecting the resignations.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi sought a clear response from senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi representing Speaker.

"You were silent on the resignations till the MLAs came to the Supreme Court... Why?" asked Chief Justice Gogoi.

Here are the live updates on the ongoing political crisis in Karnataka: 

"This landmark judgement has given strength to democratic process. Some BJP friends are trying to misguide that whip is not valid but the party can issue a whip & take necessary action as per anti-defection law," remarked Congress leader DK Shivakumar on the SC judgment. 

"We honour the decision of the Supreme Court. There is no question of going back. We stand by our decision. No question of going to the Assembly," said BC Patil, according to News18. 

BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao reacted to the SC verdict on the resignation of 15 rebel MLAs. "SC in its final judgement will have to create timelines for Speakers to decide a matter be it Assembly or Parliament. If required we'll look at need for amending the act so that Speakers can't go by their own whims and fancies," said Rao.

Former Chief Minister and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa said that the SC has given a very good verdict. "Kumaraswamy has lost his mandate and he doesn't command a majority. Therefore, he must resign tomorrow. This is a victory of the Constitution and democracy. It is a moral victory for the rebel MLAs." said Yeddyurappa,

The Congress in Karnataka took to Twitter to says, "Operation lotus will fail. The truth is victory."

The SC said that the assembly Speaker should decide on the resignation of 15 rebel MLAs without being influenced by observations made by the court. 

The SC, in its interim order, said that imperative to maintain Constitutional balance.

"Larger legal questions need to be decided and deserves an answer only at a later stage," said SC.

The SC said that the 15 MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in any assembly proceedings till Speaker takes a decision on their resignation.

The SC said that the 15 MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in any assembly proceedings till Speaker takes a decision on their resignation.

The top court has given the Speaker the liberty to decide on the resignation of the 15 rebel MLAs within any time frame.

The Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, is reading out the order.

The coalition strength in the state is 116 (Congress-78, JD(S)-37 and the BSP-1), besides the Speaker. If the Speaker accepts the resignations of the 16 MLAs, the tally will reduce to 100, in the 224 member assembly. 

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, arguing on behalf of the MLAs, concluded by saying, "I have a fundamental right to resign and walk away."

Rao took to Twitter on Tuesday, July 16, to say that the party rebel MLAs camping in Mumbai had been locked down and may be disqualified.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the CM questioned the jurisdiction of SC in entertaining the plea filed by the MLAs and said that these leaders are "hunting in a pack" to bring down his government. 

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will seek a vote of confidence on Thursday, July 18. However, his government could fall before that if the Speaker accepts the MLAs' resignation.