Yeddy passes fourth floor test, wins trust vote

With ruling party men present in full strength barring a lone member -- Chandappa Naik -- due to personal problems, Yeddyurappa secured  "a yes" from 119 members for his one line motion with none opposing it in the 224-member house.

This is the fourth vote of confidence sought by Yeddyurappa since May 2008 after the first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party government in the south came to power.

Amid uproarious scenes triggered by exchange of words between Congress leader Siddaramaiah and Speaker K G Bopaiah, Yeddyurappa moved the confidence motion, saying, "I want to tell people of the state that my government enjoyed majority. To prove that we are united, there was a need to tell people that the opposition is trying to trouble the government even after it commanded majority."

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Triggering a crisis, Governor H R Bhardwaj had recommended imposition of president's rule after the Supreme Court recently quashed the Speaker's order disqualifying 11 BJP rebel MLAs and six Independents. The Centre rejected Bhardwaj's report.

Taking a swipe at Bhardwaj, Yeddyurappa said, "The governor says in public that my government enjoys majority but stealthily recommends its dismissal from Raj Bhavan."

Before walking out after a heated exchange with Bopaiah, Siddaramaih told him, "We have no confidence in you. This House has no confidence in you. You and the CM should quit". Five independent MLAs also followed Congress members.

Soon after this, Bopaiah put the motion to vote after Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar pressed for head count.

Speaking to reporters later, Yeddyurappa recalled similar exercise he had to undergo on three occasions and the governor recommending president's rule despite proving his majority. "Fortunately, the prime minister and home minister rejected the Governor's recommendations saying that they would not do any unconstitutional acts," he said.

He lashed out opposition parties for their "dictatorial" attitude towards his government from day one and accused them of attempts to capture power through the backdoor misusing the office of the governor.

"On many occasions in the last three years, people have reposed faith in my party and in all elections they supported BJP. People helped us to ensure a stable government. But opposition constantly made efforts to destabilise an elected government with full majority," Yeddyurappa charged.

Yeddyurappa ruled out resignation of Bopaiah, saying he will continue for the remaining two years.

The House witnessed noisy scenes as Yeddyurappa rose to move the motion soon after passing obituary resolution to former MLAs who passed away in the inter-session period.

Siddaramaiah insisted that he be allowed to make preliminary submission on an adjournment motion on the situation that emerged after the Supreme Court set aside the disqualification of 16 MLAs who withdrew support to the government. After the apex court verdict, 11 BJP rebel MLAs had extended support to the government.

Certain remarks made against the Speaker by Siddaramaiah were expunged. Bopaiah announced that he has rejected the adjournment motion as it had no prima facie material to admit it.

Independent Varthur Prakash, who has been supporting the government, however, did not attend the session.