New Delhi, May 19: Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Saturday condemned the BJP for trying to derail the trust vote in Karnataka Assembly and expressed his gratitude to the Supreme Court for ordering a floor test.

He also appreciated the apex court's decision to allow live telecast of the proceedings.

"How many moves will the BJP make before the vote of confidence in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly? How many obstacles will they put? First of all, give us 15 days. Second, Anglo-Indian members. Third, secret ballot. Fourth, plotting a pro tem speaker. Fifth, the search is on," he tweeted.

"Thank God that there is Supreme Court," he said, condemning the "lack of faith" among political parties in the top court.

He further questioned that when 221 elected men and women cannot decide on who among them enjoys the majority, how was India a democracy.

"I salute the Supreme Court. Now, let the Congress and JDS MLAs stand by their respective party and uphold the Constitution."

"In Karnataka, what is at stake is not only who will form the government, but who will be loyal to the electorate and uphold the verdict of his/her voters."

"Every trick of the BJP to delay or derail the vote of confidence has been defeated. Now, I am sure the Congress and JD-S MLAs will defeat Yeddyurappa," he said in a series of tweets.

Earlier on Saturday, the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular dropped their plea questioning Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to appoint K.G. Bopaiah as the pro tem speaker in the assembly, after the apex court allowed live streaming of the floor test to be held at 4 p.m.

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Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday raised questions over maintenance of the Taj Mahal in Agra and attacked the Yogi Adityanath government saying it should be a "living and active" example, not just a "monument".

Yadav, who shared a viral video in which a plant could be seen sprouting from the dome of the Taj Mahal, said the monument might develop cracks due to the roots.

In a post on X, he said, "The BJP government and its dormant departments have completely failed to maintain the Taj Mahal, the wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world."

Yadav went on to say, "There is a possibility of rusting of the metal of the urn on the main dome. Water is dripping from the main dome. There is news of plants growing in the dome. If the roots of trees like these grow, then the Taj Mahal may crack."

He also highlighted problems of monkey menace and water logging in the Taj Mahal complex.

"The Taj Mahal complex has become a sanctuary for monkeys. There is a problem of waterlogging in the Taj Mahal complex. The tourists are worried whether they should admire the Taj Mahal or deal with the problems," Yadav said, adding due to all these reasons, the country's image is tarnished at the global level. ⁠

Last week, the main dome of the Taj witnessed water seepage due to incessant rains but officials said there was no damage to the arched roof.

Yadav asked where crores of rupees of funds that come for the maintenance of Taj Mahal are going.

"The government should be a living and active example, not just a monument," he added.