Kumaraswamy to seek trust vote on Feb 8

The motion, being moved by Kumaraswamy, is in consonance with a directive by Governor TN Chaturvedi to him on January 28.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, heading the JDS-BJP government, is seeking a vote of confidence in the state assembly on Wednesday.

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The motion, being moved by Kumaraswamy, is in consonance with a directive by Governor TN Chaturvedi to him on January 28, to prove his majority within eight days of assuming office.

Soon after his two-member government took oath on February 3, Kumaraswamy said he would face the floor test on February 8, three days before the expiry of deadline.

BJP has already issued a whip to its members to vote in favour of the motion.

However, the JD(S), anxious to avoid any possible technical issues that might crop up, is unlikely to issue a whip and may opt to seek a "conscience vote" from its legislators, as the party remains divided with party supremo HD Deve Gowda even now being firm against his son's alliance with BJP to form the government.

Though JDS has 58 members, nine MLAs have identified with the rebel leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and 12 have declared their loyalty to Deve Gowda, leaving the Kumaraswamy group's strength at 37.

In the 224-member house, BJP has a strength of 79 members, Congress 64, JDS 58, JDU 5, Vatal Paksha, Kannada Nadu, CPI-M and RPI one each, Independents 13 and Speaker 1.