(Image source from: republicworld.com)

New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Friday has ordered BJP leader B S Yedyurappa to prove his majority role on the floor of the Karnataka Legislative assembly at 4 pm on Saturday.

A Three bench of Justices A K Sikri, S A Bobde and Ashok Bhushan said that the pro tem speaker should be appointedby the Governor, and the floor test to be held at 4 pm.

The Supreme Court also asked the DGP to ensure protective law and objected Yedyurappa from taking any major decision of policy, till he is proved majority.

It also has directed with instructions that no Anglo-Indian MLA should be nominated till then.

The bench said that going by report of Sarkaria Commission, inviting largest party, seems to be logical but keeping in view of the situation of the issue, it is sought of fitting to order a floor test without delay.

“Ultimately it is a number game. The Governor has to decide….yes the Governor has to objectively satisfy himself…”. said justice Sikri.

“The situation is that on one hand, there is a party which has given names and other simply claims it has support. How do we decide? Sarkaria says largest party (be invited to form party). After that, if there was a pre-poll alliance, it was highest. Rationale being that voters knew they were projecting themselves. So, as far as post poll alliances are concerned, it is kept below largest party because voters didn’t know they would come together…there would be question of will of people…Majority has to be proved on the floor of the House”.

The Supreme Court had on the last date of hearing on May 17 had said that it wanted to see the two letters dated May 15 and 16 written by Yeddyurappa to Governor staking claim to form government.

Appearing for Yedyurappa Friday, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi produced the two letters.

He read out the letters which said Yedyurappa had the numbers of his party with some others but did not disclose the names of the others.

By Lokesh