Karnataka political crisis: A chronology

Following is the chronology of the Karnataka political crisis in which the Supreme Court today ordered live telecast of the floor test to be conducted at 4 PM:

May 12 Elections held in Karnataka.

May 15 Election Commission announces results. BJP emerges as single largest party with 104 members; Congress with 78 and JD(S) with 37 MLAs stitch an alliance. Both the BJP and the Congress-JD(S) combine stake claim to form government.

May 16 Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala invites BJP to form government and asks B S Yeddyurappa to take oath as chief minister the next day. Congress moves Supreme Court late evening against the governor’s invitation to the BJP.

May 16-17 SC opens its doors at midnight for an urgent hearing.

May 17 Hearing begins at 2:11 AM and concludes at 5:28 AM. SC refuses to stay oath-taking ceremony of Yeddyurappa. Yeddyurappa sworn in as CM at 9 AM.

May 18 SC orders floor test at 4 pm on May 19. Congress-JD (S) combine late at night move the SC challenging the governor’s decision to appoint BJP MLA K G Bopaiah as pro tem speaker to conduct the floor test. SC says it will hear plea on May 19.

May 19 SC orders live telecast of floor test to ensure transparency in trust vote. At 4 PM, Yeddyurappa says “I will not face confidence vote; I am going to resign”.