Kumaraswamy misses 6 p.m. deadline for floor test

Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday missed the 6 p.m. deadline for the floor test set by Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar to prove majority in the House, as he could not complete his reply to the confidence motion he moved on July 18.

While adjourning the House late on Monday night, the Speaker had directed the Chief Minister to ensure that the ruling JD(S)-Congress alliance members completed the debate on his motion by 4 p.m. and his own reply by 5 p.m. so that the floor test could be held by 6 p.m. by division of votes.

Resignations by 15 rebel legislators of the ruling combine from their Assembly segments since July 1 have reduced the 14-month-old shaky coalition government to a minority, forcing a trust vote on the floor of the House. IANS