Amid crisis, Kumaraswamy announces he will seek trust vote

In a surprise move amid the existential crisis faced by his government, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday announced he would seek a trust vote to end the 'confusion' caused by resignations of rebel MLAs while asserting he was "ready for everything".

Making the announcement in the state assembly, Kumaraswamy said he has 'voluntarily' decided to seek the vote, adding only when he commanded the support in the House he can continue as the CM.

Asserting that he did not come to the Chief Minister's position with the intention of remaining in power for ever, the JDS leader requested Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to fix a time for moving the confidence vote.

Later, Kumaraswamy at the business advisory committee meeting proposed Wednesday for the trust vote. However, no decision was taken as the principal opposition BJP did not attend the meeting, sources said.

A decision was likely to be taken on Monday, they added.

Kumaraswamy's announcement in the assembly came as the Supreme Court, hearing a petition by ten of the 16 rebel MLAs, restrained the Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar from taking any decision till next Tuesday on the resignation and disqualification of the legislators.

The ten rebel MLAs Thursday submitted afresh their resignation letters in person to the Speaker as directed by the apex court