Fourteen of the rebel MLAs of the Congress and three of the JDS were disqualified under the anti-defection law by the Speaker in July.

 

The judgment has a bearing on the BJP government and also the December by-polls to 15 of 17 vacant seats in the assembly.  "The previous Speaker Ramesh Kumar had conspired along with Siddaramaiah (Congress leader). The Supreme Court has given a clear decision to it," Mr Yediyurappa said. 

 

Fourteen rebel MLAs of the Congress and three of the JDS were disqualified under the anti-defection law by the Speaker in July.  The Supreme Court said the "taint of disqualification does not vaporise by tendering a resignation letter to the Speaker".  The Speaker also said the MLAs cannot contest elections until the term of the current assembly ends in 2023. That decision stands cancelled by the Supreme Court, which said the Speaker is "not empowered" to disqualify any member till the end of the term.  "There is a growing trend of the Speaker acting against the constitutional duty of being neutral. Further horse trading and corrupt practices associated with defection and change of loyalty for lure of office or wrong reasons have not abated. Thereby the citizens are denied stable governments," the judges observed, stressing on the need to consider strengthening certain aspects so that "such undemocratic practices are discouraged and checked".