Whether BJP lawmaker KG Bopaiah is qualified to be the temporary speaker when Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa takes a trust vote in the Karnataka assembly is being heard by the Supreme Court this morning.
Here are the updates from the apex court:
— Kapil Sibal, who is appearing for the Congress and JD-S combine says, “The individual appointed must be the senior most member of the House which is a convention in the Parliament also.”
— He adds while making his case, “Long standing convention has been broken after the appointment of Bopaiah,” adds, “Even SC has ratified this practice in two judgments.”
— Justice SA Bobde says, “There’ve been instances where senior most MLA wasn’t appointed as Pro tem speaker. Kapil Sibal replies ‘KG Bopaiah has different history. His decision of disqualification was set aside by this Court earlier.”
— Kapil Sibal argues “I am requesting that don’t allow KG Bopaiah to take the floor test.”
— Justice Bobde remarks: “If you want us to examine his suitability, bonafide of Boppaiah, we have to issue notice to him. We must then postpone the floor test.”
— — SC says “Law can’t direct the Governor to appoint a particular person as Pro-tem Speaker. Unless convention becomes legal norm, it can’t be enforced by Court.”
— Supreme Court says, “Live broadcast of floor test would be the best way to ensure transparency of proceedings.”
