In exactly 14 months, the coalition government of Karnataka collapsed.
The government failed to secure the trust by a margin of 4 votes. While BJP secured 105 votes, Congress-JDS only had 99 votes. This means 20 MLAs skipped the session bringing down the total to 204.
#JustIn | Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy loses trust vote in assembly, Congress-JDS coalition falls
LIVE coverage on https://t.co/hMlRpgak2y and NDTV 24×7#KarnatakaFloorTest #KarnatakaTrustVote pic.twitter.com/hhp78prVCz
— NDTV (@ndtv) July 23, 2019
The magic number was 103 & coalition didn’t have the numbers during the trust vote.
The coalition had tried hard to delay the trust vote. Every tactic in the rule book was tried and after 4 days of intense debate and face off, the trust vote took place.
The session witnessed a Division Vote wherein head count of MLAs took place in the assembly. Following the vote count it was clear Kumaraswamy didn’t have the numbers.
The Chief Minister then submitted his resignation to the Governor.
The Governor then immediately accepted his resignation and requested him to continue as a caretaker CM
I would like to reaffirm that those who have fallen for Operation Kamala will never be inducted back to our party.
Even if the sky is falling down!!@INCKarnataka
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 23, 2019
What next in Karnataka?
BJP Karnataka President, BS Yeddyurappa: I will discuss with Prime Minister & our President Amit Shah ji, afterwards I will go & meet Governor. We are going to have a legislature party meet now. pic.twitter.com/3MgoyD3Bjf
— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2019
What happens next in the big question on everyone’s mind. BJP President Yeddyurappa is expected to stake claim after meeting the Governor Vajubhai Vala.
https://twitter.com/BJP4Karnataka/status/1153691507578195969?s=19
Fate of the 15 rebel MLAs remains unknown. As the speaker is yet to accept or reject their resignations.
Scenario 1:
If their resignations are accepted, there could be re-election on their seats, which means the tussle for power could extend
Scenario 2:
If resignations are rejected, then under anti-defection law they could be disqualified as the whip remains. This drama could also escalate in Supreme Court.
BSP in the meanwhile also sacked its lone MLA for defying the party whip. The MLA was asked to cast his vote for the coalition, but he refrained from the proceedings
#BreakingNews Mayawati expels Karnataka BSP MLA Mahesh for abstaining from Trust Vote https://t.co/9htTbJKj1K
— The News Minute (@thenewsminute) July 23, 2019
Situation in Bengaluru
Meanwhile section 144 was imposed in the capital city of Bengaluru. However once the reports of trust vote results emerged, BJP supporters celebrated the win.