As his government teetered on the brink, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday announced that he would seek a trust vote and sought time from Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar.
The surprise announcement from the embattled chief minister came in the state Assembly, which met here for a 11-day session in the backdrop of the resignation of 16 ruling coalition MLAs, which now threatens the government's survival.
However, the opposition BJP took exception to the Chief Minister raising the matter during obituary reference.
A total of 16 MLAs-13 of the Congress and three of the JD(S) resigned, which was followed by the two independent legislators who were made ministers recently withdrawing support to the government.
"In my opinion today in the backdrop of the developments, I have decided that I should move the confidence motion. I seek your time," Kumaraswamy told the Speaker.
"The occasion is such that, I have to say this, I can continue only if I enjoy the trust of the House. In this background, I am not ready to misuse my position sitting in this place," he said.
He said he had taken the decision on the trust vote "voluntarily."
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