Karnataka floor test: Congress-JDS application against appointment of KG Bopaiah as Pro Tem Speaker to be heard tomorrow

Congress and JD(S) leaders have approached the Supreme Court yet again, this time challenging the appointment of MLA KG Bopaiah as the pro-tem speaker for the floor test in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly scheduled for tomorrow..The application will be heard by the Supreme Court tomorrow at 10:30 am..Advocate Devadatt Kamat briefed the media after the proceedings today. Here is a short clip..Drafted by advocates Devadatt Kamat and Javedur Rahman and settled by Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the application alleges that Bopaiah, a junior MLA, has a dubious and controversial record of passing biased disqualification orders..The application points out that the Bopaiah has been severely criticised and strictures have been passed against him by the Supreme Court..“Disqualification orders passed by him were also set aside and as being vitiated with mala fides and undue haste.”.The application contends that the binding and long-standing parliamentary convention is to appoint the senior most member of the house as the pro-tem Speaker. However, in a “shocking disregard” to the same, Bopaiah, a relatively junior member, has been appointed pro-tem Speaker..Besides seeking setting aside the appointment of Bopaiah and appointing the senior most member of the house as the pro-tem speaker, the petitioners have also prayed that the proceedings of the Assembly be video recorded..The following are the PRAYERS made by the petitioners..pass an appropriate writ/order/direction setting aside the appointment of Shri K.G.Bopaiah as the pro tem Speaker.pass an appropriate writ/order/direction appointing the senior-most MLA of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, as the pro tem Speaker. pass an appropriate writ/order/direction directing that the voting in the floor test has to be carried out by division by segregating the MLAs supporting and opposing the Motion in different lobbies of the House.pass an appropriate writ/order/direction declaring that the pro tem Speaker perform only those duties indicated by this Hon’ble Court in order dated 18.05.2018.pass an appropriate writ/order/direction that no other item will be on the agenda in the proceedings on 19.05.2018 except for the administration of oath of MLAs followed by the conduct of the floor test at 4:00 pm as directed vide order dated 18.05.2018pass an appropriate writ/order/direction directing the pro tem Speaker to video-record the proceedings of the State Legislative Assembly held on 19.05.2018 and submit a copy of the video recording to this Hon’ble Court..Read the application of Congress MLA Dr. G Parameshwar