Karnataka Government Formation LIVE: With less than five hours in the oath-taking ceremony, BS Yeddyurappa finally won the uphill battle till the CM office, in ballot and in court. After an extensive overnight courtroom drama, a three-judge Supreme Court bench gave BJP Legislative Party chief Yeddyurappa go ahead to take oath at the scheduled ceremony at 9 am.
Supreme Court did not dismiss the petition filed by Congress and JD(S), said, "this petition is a subject of hearing later on". SC also issued a notice to respondents including BJP's BS Yeddyurappa, asking to file a reply, In a late night petition, Congress and JD(S) had argued that the Governor's decision to invite BJP to form the government in Karnataka should be treated as unconstitutional because their alliance had the majority seats. But Congress lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi failed to produce the letter of support by 117 MLAs when asked by the court.
At midnight, the poll battle of Karnataka reached Delhi. In a high-voltage drama, the fate of the state assembly shifted to the hands of Supreme Court as Congress party filed a request for an urgent hearing against Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to invite BS Yeddyurappa to form the government in the state.
At around 1:15 am, the apex court admitted Congress and JD(S)'s plea. The hearing is set for 01:45 am and will be held by a three-judge bench.
BJP had emerged as the single largest party in Karnataka Assembly Election Results 2018 announced yesterday by winning polls in 104 constituencies in a 224 seat assembly. The decision has irked the Congress-JD(S) alliance which has threatened to knock the doors of Supreme Court and stage a protest outside Raj Bhawan if they are not invited to form the government. (Who is going to form the government in Karnataka)
After a day of hectic politics, both BJP led by BS Yeddyurappa and Congress-JD(S) led by HD Kumaraswamy had presented their case to Governor, who had promised to make an unbiased decision on the basis of Constitution, SC judgment, and precedence in Goa and Manipur.
Read more: All you need to know about Karnataka CM-elect BS Yeddyurappa
As it Happened:
04:50 am: As the three-judge bench of the SC continues to hear the plea of Congress & JD(S) challenging Karnataka Governor's decision, Abhishek Manu Singhvi pleads the swearing-in ceremony to be deferred by 4.30 pm today while BJP's lawyer Mukul Rohatgi continues his argument
04:30 am: Supreme Court did not dismiss the petition filed by Congress and JD(S), said, "this petition is a subject of hearing later on". SC also issued a notice to respondents including BJP's BS Yeddyurappa, asking to file a reply
04:23 am: With less than 5 hours to go in oath taking ceremony, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the Congress' allegations that Governor's decision to invite BJP's BS Yeddyurappa was 'unconstitutional'.
04:23 am: The three-judge bench of Supreme Court refuses to stay swearing-in ceremony of BJP's BS Yeddyurappa as Karnataka Chief Minister
04:10 am: Arguments concluded by all lawyers, court's decision expected shortly
04:10 am: It's Governor's job to invite to the oath. The President and Governor are not answerable to any court. The court should not stop a constitutional functionary in the functioning of his official duties: Mukul Rohatgi, BJP's lawyer
04:10 am: Please dismiss this petition. They want an injunction to stop discharging function of one of the highest constitutional functionary. Larger questions is that can it be stalled?: Mukul Rohatgi, BJP's lawyer
03:45 am: This petition should not have been filed. Congress & JD(S) should have waited for the floor test to be conducted: Attorney General KK Venugopal
03:42 am: "In a case like this where the opposite side is showing 117 MLAs support, how will you have 112 MLAs support?," Justice AK Sikri asks AG KK Venugopal
03:06 am: Justice Sikri questions Abhishek Manu Singhvi's arguments in absence of support letter from 117 MLAs
02:54 am: Justice Sikri cites judgment in the case of Arunachal Pradesh, asks parties to read partial judgment
02:37 am: Court asks for MLA support letter from Congress, Singhvi fails to produce it
02:34 am: Singhvi terms Governor's decision a 'constitutional sin'
02:33 am: It's unheard that a party is given 15 days time to prove its majority from 104 to the magical number(112). Giving permission to form the govt to someone who is having 104 seats as compared to the other group that is having 116, is adding insult to injury: Abhishek Manu Singhvi
02:31 am: Two main issues in front of the court - 1) Will Yeddyurappa take oath at 9 am today, 2) Will BJP get 15 days to prove majority in the assembly or less?
02:28 am: BJP has just 104 MLAs in support and the Governor has invited BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa to form the government. It is completely unconstitutional: Abhishek Manu Singhvi
02:26 am: Y'day, Congress legislature party passed a resolution supporting JD(S). HD Kumaraswamy submitted 37 MLAs signatures to the Governor, supporting Congress: Abhishek Manu Singhvi
02:24 am: Singhvi mentions that Congress-JD(S) had the magic mark of 112 and questioned the timing of oath taking ceremony at 9am
02:22 am: Youth Congress workers staging protest in Delhi, raising slogans against PM Modi, Amit Shah
02:19 am: Court may pass an order declaring order of Governor inviting BS Yeddyurappa to form govt as unconstitutional & quash the same,or, pass direction to Guv to invite alliance of INC & JD(S) which has support of more than 112 MLAs to form govt:Congress & JD(S) in plea to SC
02:17 am: Mukul Rohatgi cites section 361 to argue that Governor's decision cannot be challenged and thus he cannot be made a party in the matter
02:15 am: 3-judge SC bench hears Cong's plea, Congress' lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi begins arguments
02:03 am: JD(S) leader Danish Ali says will not let democracy suffer in Karnataka, will use all legal, political and constitutional remedies available to us
01:58 am: Guv has discretion to call largest party & he has done so. If single largest party won't be able to form govt,other party will be called. In case of Goa elections,single largest party Congress had not presented its side, that's the difference: Mukul Rohatgi
01:55 am: Former Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi representing BS Yeddyurappa, lawyers waiting for judges
01:52 am: ASG Tushar Mehta representing Governor, Abhishek Manu Singhvi for Congress, JD(S) represented by Anoop Chaudhary
01:48 am: Former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi defends Governor's decision, says majority can only be proven on assembly's floor
01:40 am: Ironically, Abhishek Manu Singhvi today thanked CJI for midnight hearing while his party Congress tried to impeach him less than a fortnight ago.
01:30 am: Three-judge bench of Justice AK Sikri, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Gobde to hear Congress & JD(S) petition challenging Karnataka Governor's decision at 1:45 am
01:10 am: Irrespective of merits, very gracious of SC to fix hearing at 145 pm at ct no 2. Shows justice never sleeps & accessibility is 24x7, where merits so demand. Which apex court in world allows such accessibility?
01:08 am: Karnataka battle: SC accepts Congress' plea against Governor's decision to invite Yeddyurappa, constitutes bench for urgent hearing
00:43 am: Legal experts say that the aim of Congress party is not to postpone or cancel tomorrow's oath but reduce the time period given to Yeddyurappa to prove his majority in the House.
00:42 am: Congress-JD(S) leaders reach CJI's residence
00:39 am: With less than nine hours to go for BS Yeddyurappa's oath for CM's post, Congress refuses to concede. Abhishek Manu Singhvi leaves his residence for CJI's home
Congress refuses to concede. Abhishek Manu Singhvi leaves his residence for CJI's home 
00:34 am: The registrar has asked for a list of advocates who will appear before the CJI. The decision on Congress' petition likely any minute now.
00:33 am: If CJI Dipak Misra agrees for an emergency hearing than a senior government attorney will have to reach SC to represent Governor in the matter: Legal expert
00:30 am: BJP lawyer says they have not received a copy of the petition, not clear if BJP is the party in the matter
00:30 am: SC registrar has reached CJI's residence
00:22 am: It depends on Governor's discretion. Constitution provides them complete power to appoint anyone the CM, but Guv is expected to choose the person, who in their judgement, is in a situation to gain the majority in the assembly: Subhash Kashyap, Constitutional expert
00:05 am: BJP has 104 seats, how will they prove majority on floor, even if they get some independent MLAs? Only way out is to bring Cong & JD(S) MLAs with them, either by using muscle power or buying MLAs. We have filed a petition urging Guv to give us a chance: Javed, lawyer,JD(S) & Congress
00:03 am: "Definitely, we have. You will see it," said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on being asked if BJP has the number of MLAs to prove majority. He has arrived at the residence of BS Yeddyurappa
00:02 am: BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar defends Governor's decision to invite BJP to form the government, says legally it was the only option
11:55 pm: Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi continues Twitter attacks, alleges oath time manipulation by BJP
-Apparently BSY is not as attached 2astrology as 2his coveted CM post. Initially, he had proclaimed 1230 pm as astrologically propitious 4swearing in. Now it seems that cong jds threat of sc legal action led him 2prepone swearing in to 930! Remember courts normally sit at1030 am.
-Does cumulative impact of foll admitted facts nt establish ctal decimation by govnor as partisan agent of ruling party & Govt? Judge 4urself (1) 104 vs 116 (2) 7 days asked by BSY, 15given by gov!(3) Goa, manipur, delhi, kr Narayanan et al egs of single largest combination called
11:50 pm: Registrar and two Cogress lawyers have reached Supreme Court
11:33 pm: Congress leader and party's legal counselor in the matter Abhishek Manu Singhvi tweets:
-Ever heard of 15days 2prove majority 2 a 104 MLA strength party when opposers gave lists totalling 116! Sc reduced floor test duration in Jagdambika pal UP case; anil jha Jharkhand case & kevalker Goa case from 7days to 48 hrs in each case. No reason for SC 2differ this time.
-Governor cld not have given written permission & license 4poaching more effectively than by this letter inviting BSY’s minority & then giving them 15days 2show majority. Elementary common sense tells all that no one with 104 can cross 112 wo massive horse trading.
-This is interesting ! BSY had asked for seven days time to prove majority. Governor gives him fifteen days!This by itself is enuff to prove discarding of all constitutional Norms & acting virtually as a partisan agent of the central Govt nt a ctal functionary.
-Since swearing in now announced for 9 am on 17/5/18, in a 9 pm invite by governor today to BSY to form Govt, urgency to seek listing in sc tonite is self validating. If sc registry accepts petrs request on basis of petn settled by me and filed tonite, I wl appear and argue tonite
11:30 pm:
11:30 pm: Even if the matter is taken up for urgent hearing, both Congress and BJP will get equal opportunity to present their cases: Legal experts
11:30 pm: Congress' plea against Karnataka Governor's decision will be first judged on merit by the registrar. If forwarded, the CJI will decided if it requires an urgent hearing before oath tomorrow: Legal experts
11:08 pm: Routine exercise by Congress, they are free t knock on the doors of judiciary: BJP leaders to India TV on COngress' appeal to SC against Governor's decision
11:00 pm: Police security increased on Krishna Menon Road in Delhi. CJI Dipak Misra lives on the road.
10:51 pm: Citing 'Constitutional violation', Congress files an affidavit in SC for urgent hearing against Guv's decision to invite Yeddyurappa to form govt, approaches CJI Dipak Misra for an overnight hearing.
10:31 pm: Surjewala says Congress will use every legal and Constitutional way to challenge Governor's decision
10:25 pm: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala launches a scathing attack on Governor for inviting BJP to form the government, terms his decision 'encounter of Constitution and democracy'
10:21 pm: By giving 15 days time (to prove majority) Governor is encouraging horse-trading by BJP leaders, this is unconstitutional. We will discuss the future plan: HD Kumaraswamy, JD(S)
10:11 pm: We want to ask Amit Shah ji that if two parties cannot come together in post-poll coalition, then how did you form govts in Goa and Manipur by superseding single largest party? Guv has shamed his office: Randeep Surjewala, Congress
09:52 pm: The party that blew up the constitution to shambles is teaching us the constitution, the party that imposed President rule the most number of times is giving us lessons: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in Delhi
09:44 am: The Governor based the decision on the SC judgement in 2005, wherein Shibu Soren was allowed to form govt and prove majority within 19 days. Soren failed after SC took a stern view against Governor's decision and asked him to prove his majority within a day.
09:35 pm:
09:32 pm: Governor has invited BS Yeddyurappa to form govt, official communication has been received, Guv gave 15 days to prove majority, oath to take place at 9 am tomorrow: Basavaraj Bommai, BJP
09:25 pm: BJP retweets its deleted tweet.
09:00 pm:
08:59 pm: BJP Karnataka in-charge Prakash Javadekar shows victory symbol on being asked if Governor has sent a letter inviting BJP to form the government
BJP Karnataka in-charge Prakash Javadekar shows victory symbol on being asked if Governor has sent a letter inviting BJP to form government
Watch video:
08:51 pm:
08:48 pm: If the Governor invites anyone but Mr Kumaraswamy (to form the government in Karnataka) he is supporting & encouraging poaching (of MLAs): P Chidambaram in Delhi
08:44 pm: What is standing in way of the Governor from extending an invitation to the leader of the alliance (HD Kumaraswamy), who clearly demonstrated that he commands the support of the majority?: P Chidambaram
08:44 pm: Where are you taking this country, one wonders? Someone was offered Rs 3 Cr, someone Rs 5 Cr & someone Rs 100 Cr, anybody walking on the road has a price?: HD Kumaraswamy, JD (S)
08:40 pm: The Governor of Karnataka must bind by the Constitution and the order of the Supreme Court. We have the majority numbers but, the Governor isn't calling us to form the government: Kapil Sibal
Watch video:
08:39 pm: Yedyyurappa-led BJP will have to prove its majority in the assembly on May 21: Sources
08:38 pm: It seems like Governor has given the BJP an opportunity to indulge in horse-trading: Kapil Sibal
08:37 pm: The Governor holds an exhaulted constitutional office. He should not work on a prejudiced part which is illegal. He is bound to call the post-poll alliance since the MLAs were present physically at the Raj Bhawan: Chidambaram
08:37 pm: The number of the Congress party & JDS clearly establishes that the alliance has a majority in Legislative Assembly in Karnataka: Chidambaram
08:35 pm: Congress & JD(S) clearly establish majority yet Governor hasn't taken decision to invite Shri Kumaraswamy to form govt. We heard Guv may have invited BS Yeddyurappa but since it is not confirmed we are proceeding on basis that Guv has not decided to invite anyone: P Chidambaram
08:32 pm: Governor has reportedly given one week to Yeddyurappa government to prove its majority in the House. Congress likely to keep its MLAs hidden in a resort for the duration.
08:31 pm: However, there has been no confirmation on this from Raj Bhawan.
08:30 pm: Putting an end to speculations, Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala has reportedly invited BJP legislative party chief BS Yedyurappa to form the government in the state. BJP had emerged as the single largest party in Karnataka Assembly Election Results 2018 announced yesterday by winning polls in 104 constituencies in a 224 seat assembly. The decision is likely to irk the Congress-JD(S) alliance which has threatened to knock the doors of Supreme Court and stage a protest outside Raj Bhawan if they are not invited to form the government.
07:47 pm:
07:45 pm:
07:00 pm: He thinks he is the boss of the party, the party has suffered because of his arrogant behaviour. He is not a true Congressman. Many people have this view of him but don't express it: KB Koliwad, Outgoing Karnataka Assembly Speaker and Congress leader on Siddaramaiah
06:50 pm: BJP has 104, Congress-JDS may have a majority to form the govt, politics in the state has become dirty. The way power is being misused to put pressure on MLAs, use of ED, I-T and other agencies and allegations of Rs 100 Cr, all this has become a face of our democracy globally: Sanjay Raut
06:40 pm: Congress MLA gathered in KPCC office. The MLAs will be taken to a resort after a meeting with Siddaramaiah and G Parameshwara
06:36 pm: Sources say Governor is likely to take the decision on the invitation to power by the end of the day
06:34 pm: Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress to India TV: A govt made on the basis of such tactics can never survive. If it comes to power Yeddyurappa govt will fall within 5 days just like Atal Bihari Vajpayee govt fell within 13 days.
06:27 pm: BJP MPs Shobha Karandlaje, GM Siddeshwara and PC Mohan write to Home Minister Rajnath Singh stating, 'we have every reason to believe that Karnataka govt is misusing its power and tapping our mobile phones. This is a clear violation of our fundamental right to privacy.'
06:13 pm: The allegations that Siddaramaiah made on PM Modi that that latter has allowed 'horse trading' in Karnataka is condemnable, false, irresponsible and baseless: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
05:59 pm: Congress leader G Parameshwara from party office: We have submitted the letter to the Governor with a support of 117 people and have cited recent SC order to assert our case. We have also cited Goa and Manipur examples, we have asked him to take these cases into account.
05:52 pm: Governor has assured that he will take action as per the Constitution. We have full faith in him that he will not do injustice. We have our numbers, not even a single member has moved out. We will not allow any such thing to happen: DK Shivakumar, Congress
05:45 pm: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot dismisses rumours about missing MLAs, questions delay in inviting Congress-JD(S) alliance to form the government
05:44 pm: We have submitted the necessary documents which show that we have the numbers required to form the government. He (Governor of Karnataka) promised he will consider according to the Constitution: HD Kumaraswamy after meeting Karnataka Governor
05:40 pm: Governor to consult with legal, Constitutional experts before deciding state's fate, reports
05:37 pm: Congress and JDS' meeting with Governor ends. The alliance says Governor has assured them of the due Constitutional process, he has assured us that he will look at the precedence before making the decision, the alliance said at a press conference after the meeting.
05:19 pm:
04:50 pm: Bengaluru: HD Kumaraswamy leads delegation to Raj Bhawan to meet Governor Vajubhai Vala
04:37 pm:
03:49 pm:
03:44 pm: JD(S) and Congress to meet Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala at 5 pm.
03:36 pm: Sources say, JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy is currently holding a meeting with his party workers at Hotel Shangrila.
03:20 pm: If Congress-JD(S) are not invited by the Governor then the MLAs will sit on a 'dharna' outside Raj Bhawan from tomorrow. MPs may also join them: ANI Sources
03:16 pm: Stealing of MLAs shouldn't be allowed. No Guv can go against Constitution. We can't tell you whom we'll approach and whom not. At this juncture, we've complete faith in Guv that he'll go by Constitution and not party politics: Ghulam Nabi Azad on if Congress will go for a legal option
03:15 pm: Since 12-12.30 pm we are seeking an appointment with Governor so they can handover our two letters, one of legislator party of Congress another of legislator party of JD(S). We haven't received any message from Governor so far. We are waiting eagerly: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress
03:00 pm: Dear Brothers & Sisters of Karnataka, I thank you for your verdict. It has been an honour to serve you as Chief Minister for the past 5 years. I am confident the Congress Party & the new Government we form, will continue to work for the best interests of our state & our people, tweets Siddaramaiah
02:46 pm: All the MLAs are intact. Some of the MLAs came late because they came in a special flight from Bidar: G Parameshwara, Congress on 12 Congress MLAs not present in the legislative meeting at Karnataka Party Congress Committee office
02:28 pm:
02:26 pm: We have 117 MLAs, Governor has to give opportunity to us (JDS-Congress combine) to form government: Siddaramaiah
02:24 pm: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Dr G. Parameshwara elected as Congress legislature party leader.
01:59 pm: Rs 100 crore figure is not only imaginary but it is what Congress-JDS do politics through. We are going by rules,we have submitted our claim to the Governor, are confident of forming the govt: Prakash Javadekar
01:58 pm: They are leveling baseless charges against BJP. Poaching and horse trading is not done by BJP, Congress is famous for it. Their own MLAs are not happy with their alliance: Prakash Javadekar
01:53 pm:
01:50 pm: KPCC president Parmeshwara reaches Hotel Shangrila to meet Kumaraswamy
01:15 pm:
01:10 pm: We have post alliance with Congress and it shows the frustration of BJP as they're telling openly that they won't allow us to come to power. After UP elections I told it to few media that if any body can stop the 'ashwamedh' of BJP and that is the JDS, and today I feel that has come true. Today we have stopped the winning horse of BJP: Kumaraswamy
01:05 pm: This is a bogus news. No Javadekar, no BJP leader has met me till now: HD Kumaraswamy, on being asked if he had met BJP Karnataka in-charge Prakash Javadekar.
01:01 pm: We will meet the Governor once again along with state Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President (G Parameshwara): HD Kumaraswamy
12:51 pm:
12:43 pm: Forget 'Operation Kamal' being successful, there are people who are ready to leave BJP and come with us. If you try to poach one from ours, we'll do the same and take double from you. I'm also telling the Governor to not take any decision which encourages horse-trading
12:40 pm: BJP's Ashwamedha Yatra started in North, the horses have been stopped in Karnataka. This verdict is to stop the Ashwamedha Yatra: H D Kumaraswamy
12:37 pm: I have been offered from both sides. I am not saying this loosely. There's a black spot on my father's career because of my decision to go with the BJP in 2004 & 2005. So God has given me opportunity to remove this black spot. So I am going with Congress: HD Kuamaraswamy
12:36 pm:
12:29 pm: JD(S) MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each. Where is this black money coming from? They are supposedly the servers of poor people and they are offering money today. Where are the income tax officials?: HD Kumaraswamy
12:15 pm: According to sources, two Congress MLAs Zamir Ahmed & Akhanda Srinivas (who came into the party from JDS) didn't attend party meet as they are believed to be upset with JD(S)
11:49 am: The party has chosen me. I have given the letter to the Governor & he will call me, that is what I am hoping. He told me that he will take an appropriate decision. I'll inform you after I receive letter from Governor: BS Yeddyurappa, BJP after meeting the Governor
11:47 am: HD Kumaraswamy will be the CM & there'll be a coalition govt. That is the only truth. People want him to be the CM. These kind of mechanistion will happen in a but the fact is that HD Kumaraswamy will be CM. We won't be influenced by anyone: A Manjunath, JD(S)
11:44 am: According to India TV sources, BJP MLAs meeting discussed that 10 MLAs from rival camp are ready to support BJP. Kumaraswamy will resign from one seat, so party will have to claim majority for 221 seats only, the sources added.
11:41 am: 66 out of the 78 MLAs reached for Congress legislative meeting at Karnataka Party Congress Committee office in Bengaluru.
11:38 am: BJP’s Basavaraj Bommai, a former minister and the son of ex-chief minister SR Bommai, said his party was not “approaching any individual” but stressed that “politics is an art of possibility”
11:32 am: We have to protect the verdict of the people. They (BJP) are doing bad politics. We don't have to stoop down to their level. We are 118 in number number, we don't want anyone. No body has called me to the resort: NA Harris, Congress
11:31 am: According to India TV sources, B S Yeddyurappa may take oath at 11:30 am tomorrow.
11:27 am: We are all together All this is false news. In fact there are 6 BJP people, who are in touch with us: MB Patil, Congress
11:26 am: BJP has submitted support letter to the Governor with signatures of 104 MLAs
11:18 am: BS Yeddyurappa has reached the Governor’s House to stake claim on government formation in Karnataka. He is likely to seek time from Governor Vajubhai Vala, and said that he will take oath tomorrow.
11:15 am: Senior Karnataka BJP leader KS Eshwarappa says that their party is in touch with some Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs as they hope to stitch together a majority to form the government in the state.
11:07 am: JD(S)' MLAs Raja Venkatappa Nayaka and Venkata Rao Nadagouda are missing from the JD(S) legislative party meeting which is going on in a hotel in Bengaluru.
11:06 am: After being selected as legislature party chief, Yeddyurappa has reached Governor's House to stake claim to form government
11:03 am: Ahead of JD(S) party meeting, Kumaraswamy met BJP's Yeddyurappa, Prakash Javadekar and Ananth Kumar in Bengaluru. Is a new turnaround on cards?
10:53 am:
10:52 am: Government is obliged to call largest party, which is BJP. He should call BJP leader asking him if he can form govt. If he says he can't, Guv will then call 2nd party & if he says he can form govt, Guv should give him time to prove majority: Mukul Rohatgi, former AG
10:50 am:
10:45 am: We have already decided to go with Congress. That's the reason we called Janta Dal (Secular) Legislature Party meeting. There is no question of taking any other decision: HD Kumaraswamy
10:38 am: According to India TV sources, JD(S) President Kumaraswamy met BJP ministers, and said that he will not disclose about the meeting but all MLAs are with him.
10:34 am: People want BJP govt & we will make it. Anyone can create unnatural tensions, but people of Karnataka are with us. After meeting, we will take necessary steps. This attempt made by Congress to make a backdoor entry is not appreciated
10:26 am: During the legislature party meeting the leader will be elected. From there we will go to Raj Bhavan immediately. We will claim to form the govt. Most probably we will ask the Governor to give us time tomorrow: Yeddyurappa
10:24 am: According to sources, 45 Congress MLAs have reached Bengaluru for the party meeting. Two flights have been sent -- one to Badami and the other to Belagavi -- to bring the remaining MLAs. The JD(S)-Congress combine is reportedly also planning to parade its 116 MLAs before the Governor today.
10:15 am: The BJP might look into the option of getting MLAs from the rival camp to shift their loyalty or absent themselves, while it proves majority on the floor. This would bring down the mark required for a simple majority.
10:10 am:
10:04 am: The micro-blogging platform registered over 30 lakh tweets related to Karnataka assembly polls in the past three weeks, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) garnering 51 per cent of the share of voice, Twitter announced on Wednesday.
09:56 am: JD(S) has all the faith in their MLAs. Nobody is going to go away. Let BJP try, whatever they want to: Ghulam Nabi Azad
09:41 am: Bharatiya Janata Party national Vice President Vinay Sahasrabuddhe says that he is confident that Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala will respect the party's position as the single largest one and invite it to form the government.
09:36 am:
09:28 am: JD(S) & Congress have the numbers. I hope, the governor will discharge his constitutional duties & invite HD Kumaraswamy to talk. If BJP puts pressure on the governor, it will be the death of Democracy: Danish Ali, JD(S).
09:28 am: Congress-JDS combine, sources say, will meet the governor today with a letter signed by 118 legislators in support of HD Kumarawamy
09:25 am:
09:16 am: All the Congress MLAs are intact. Nobody is missing. We are confident of forming the government: Siddaramaiah, Congress after reaching the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office for party legislative meeting.
09:15 am: They (BJP) are poaching our MLAs, we know that. Everyday there is a lot of pressure. But it not so easy because two parties have the necessary number. People are watching this: DK Shivakumar
09:14 am: Yes definitely there is a plan. We have to safeguard our MLAs, We will let you know what is the plan: DK Shivakumar, Congress on being asked if Congress MLAs in Karnataka will be shifted somewhere else
09:11 am: The single largest party doesn't have the numbers. BJP has 104, we (Congress & JDS) have 117. Governor cannot take sides. Can a person who is there to save constitution, destroy it too? The gov has to cut all its previous associations, be it BJP or RSS: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress
09:06 am: I got a call from the BJP leaders. They said come to us & we'll give a ministry to you. We'll make you a minister. But, I'm going to stay here. HD Kumaraswamy is our Chief Minister: Amaregouda Linganagouda Patil Bayyapur, Congress
09:05 am: JDS meeting venue has been changed from Bengaluru’s Le Mediridian Hotel to Shangreela Hotel in Vasanthanagar
08:31 am: BJP legislative party meeting likely at 10:30 am. Following the meet, all party MLAs led by Yeddyurappa to approach Governor to request him to allow the party to prove majority.
08:14 am: The JD(S), which is likely to likely to send its MLAs to a resort in Kochi, will first hold a crucial meeting of its leaders in Bengaluru’s Le Mediridian Hotel at 09:30 am today to elect Kumaraswamy as the leader of the legislature party.
08:05 am: According to sources, Congress may zero in on G Parmeshwara's name as deputy CM after a meeting today.
08:02 am: Former CM Siddaramaiah to conduct a meeting of newly elected Congress and JD(S) MLAs today
08:00 am: BJP, in its bid to form a government in the southern state, dispatched central ministers Prakash Javadekar, Dharmendra Pradhan and J P Nadda to Bengaluru to consult CM-nominee B S Yeddyurappa and other state leaders on the possible options. The three will attend a meeting of the newly-elected BJP MLAs in Bengaluru on Wednesday as the party's central observers.
07:55 am: The BJP and JD(S) are expected to reapproach the Governor today to stake claim to form the next government in the state.
