Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar on Friday dismissed the suggestions that he was trying to delay the vote on the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister (CM)H D Kumaraswamy to decide the future of his government.
He made his position clear as the Assembly proceedings began with Governor Vajubhai Vala having set 1.30 pm on Friday as the deadline to prove his majority.
Expressing anguish over suggestions that he was trying to delay the trust vote, Kumar said that he doesn't have to be partisan.
"You may have your own apprehensions but let me make it clear that there is no room for me being impartial. I have led fairly in public life. Character assassination is easy but those commenting on me please look at your background," he said.
He then asked the CM to speak on the debate on the trust vote, saying, "I am clear... no scope for any other discussion (except the trust vote)."
Within hours after the confidence motion could not take place with the Speaker adjourning the day's proceedings in the assembly, the Governor had Thursday shot off the letter to the CM setting the deadline.
The Governor had observed that the resignation of 15 MLAs of the ruling Coalition of JD(S) and Congress and withdrawal of support by two independents "prima facie" pointed that Kumaraswamy has lost the confidence of the House.
He had also sent a missive earlier to the Speaker to conclude the trust vote proceedings by the end of the day.