The Karnataka Assembly finally passed the Finance bill on Thursday, 14 February, almost one week after CM Kumaraswamy presented the Budget. The coalition government in the state appears to be safe for now with the return of the four rebel MLAs one day ago.
All four rebel MLAs who resurfaced after days of absence participated in the Budget session of the Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday, 13 February. They are – Mahesh Kumathalli, Ramesh Jarjkoholi, B Nagendra and Umesh Jadhav.
Days after the Budget was presented by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday, 8 February, there has been no debate on the finance bill or its provision in the days since. Ahead of the Budget day last Friday, CM Kumaraswamy announced at a press conference that BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa offered JD(S) MLA Naganagowda Kandkur's son Sharan a ministerial berth and claimed to have ‘booked’ the Assembly Speaker for a sum of Rs 50 crore. BJP has denied all allegations.
- The ten-day Karnataka Budget session began on 6 February with Governor Vajubhai Vala’s customary address to the joint sitting of the legislature.
- Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the Budget on 8 February, amidst BJP protest.
- The political crisis deepened after on Friday CM Kumaraswamy released audio tapes of BJP trying bribe JD(S) MLAs
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Assembly Passes Finance Bill Amid Protests by BJP MLAs
With the passage of the Finance Bill steeped in suspense for the past many days, the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday, 14 February passed the Finance Bill or the Budget, albeit amidst protests by BJP MLAs over the violence in Hassan on Tuesday.
With the BJP’s latest attempt to topple the government coming to naught due to the return of the four rebel MLAs, it would appear that the government is stable for now.
FIR Filed Against Yeddyurappa Under Prevention of Corruption Act
Raichur district police have registered an FIR against leader of opposition and BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for trying to bribe JDS MLA Naganagouda Kandkur's son Sharanagouda.
The police have also booked the accused under Section 506 of Indian Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Section 120(B) of IPC for criminal conspiracy
BJP Takes Out March to Raj Bhavan
BJP leaders take out Padayatra from Vidhana Soudha to Raj Bhavan. BJP leaders to meet the Governor Vajubhai Vala and lodge a complaint over the attack on BJP MLA Preetham Gowda's residence in Hassan.
Independent MLA Nagesh Extends his Support to Congress in Karnataka.
Independent MLA H Nagesh extends his support to Congress in Karnataka. He had defected to BJP and now has pledged support to Congress once again.