The debate continued for the second consecutive day with the ruling coalition and Opposition trading allegations, postponing the trust vote that will determine the fate of the over 13-month-old coalition government headed by chief minister H.D. The stalemate appeared to inch toward a Constitutional crisis with governor Vala unsuccessfully trying to intervene, but officially acknowledging political malpractice. Congress leader D.K.Shivakumar alleged that several coalition legislators were being illegally detained and threatened by the BJP to vote against the government and asked the Speaker to provide them protection. At least 20 legislators from the coalition, including 15 rebels, were not present in the House—their absence would bring down the government in a trust vote. However, Siddaramaiah on Thursday had sought clarifications on the Supreme Court order upholding a plea by the rebel MLAs to be allowed to stay away from the trust vote, and its implications on a whip by the Congress.

Source: Mint July 19, 2019 16:04 UTC