K'taka crisis: BSP MLA to skip floor test tomorrow on Mayawati's directions

In a blow to the Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka, N Mahesh, the lone MLA from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Karnataka who was earlier a minister in the HD Kumaraswamy government, announced on Sunday that he will not attend the floor test due on Monday.

Bengaluru (Karnataka): N Mahesh, the lone BSP MLA the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka was counting on, on Sunday said he will not be attending the floor test scheduled to be conducted on Monday.

The Kollegal MLA said that he will not attend the floor test on the direction of party supremo Mayawati.

Following his absence from the Karnataka Assembly session this week, there were reports that he was told by Mayawati to go against the coalition during the trust vote when it is moved by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

Ahead of the floor test, the Chief Minister has called a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leaders at the Taj Hotel here today.

The trust vote is scheduled for tomorrow after the House was adjourned in the wake of the Assembly failing to meet the two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to complete the trust vote on July 19.

The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government slumped into a minority earlier this month following the resignation of several dissident MLAs.

Sixteen MLAs from the ruling coalition, including 13 from Congress and three JD(S) MLAs, have resigned from the cabinet.

The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.