The Congress-JDS government in Karnataka is hanging by a thread Wednesday ahead of the floor test on July 18 with the rebel MLAs refusing to yield after the Supreme Court held they cannot be compelled to attend the assembly session to decide the ruling coalition's fate.
As the coalition with truncated strength struggled to shore up its numbers amid fading hopes, the Supreme Court Wednesday ruled that the 15 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs "ought not" to be compelled to participate in the proceedings of the ongoing session of the state Assembly.
The court verdict was interpreted in political circles as a relief for the rebel lawmakers, as it categorically said an option should be given to them as to whether they wanted to take part or stay out of the assembly proceedings.
The ruling coalition had held out the threat of using the Whip against the wayward MLAs, citing the disqualification provision under the anti-defection law.
Armed with the court order, the rebel Congress-JDS MLAs camping in Mumbai said there was no question of stepping back on their resignations or attending the session.
"We are happy with the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court, we honour it," rebel Congress MLA B C Patil said in a video released to the media, further receding the hopes of the ruling coalition to win them back to their fold.
Flanked by 11 other Congress-JD(S) MLAs who have quit, Patil said, "we all are together and whatever decision we have taken....at any cost no question of going back (on resignations). We stand by our decision. No question of going to assembly."
A joint delegation of the coalition,including Kumaraswamy and Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah met the Speaker and told him the Supreme Court had restricted their right to issue a whip, but "we have the right to impose a whip."