Karnataka CM aks BJP members to remain mum on JDS' possible merger with his party
Kumaraswamy says, My real politics will begin in 2023
Bengaluru, Dec 21: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday asked his BJP party members not to comment on rumours of possible merger of the JD(S) with the saffron party, even as JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy dismissed such reports and expressed confidence about coming to power independently.
"My real politics will begin in 2023," Kumaraswamy said and asserted that no one can finish the JD(S).
Amid rumours of a possible merger of the JD(S) with BJP, both leaders had on Sunday too issued statements dismissing them as far from the truth.
"JD(S) is a party built by former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy is its leader.
At the time when they are trying to strengthen the party and build it across the state, talking about that pary's merger with another party is like insulting them," Yediyurappa said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said, neither he nor others should speak on such issues, while maintaining that JD(S) has given cooperation on the issue of removing the legislative council chairman.
"...in the coming days too they may give us cooperation if needed, but at the time they are building their party, talks about its merger are not right.
There is still two and a half years for election.
They will build their party, we will build ours.So no one, including those from our party, should speak about such things," he added.
There have been rumours and reports in certain sections of the media for a couple of months now about the merger, with Kumaraswamy twice meeting Yediyurappa personally at his official residence and JD(S)' alleged softening of stand towards the ruling party.
Also JD(S) extending support for the passage of the land reforms bill in the council after initially opposing it and the regional party's support to BJP in its no-confidence motion against Council Chairman did add to the speculation.
Senior BJP legislator and vice president Arvind Limbavali's reply to a question about merger on Sunday was seen as adding credence to the speculation.
"I too have heard about it (merger), I will try to know about it.I have got to know through the media," he said.
Political polarisation will happen more in the days to come and there is a clear wave in favour of PM Narendra Modi and BJP in the country and in Karnataka too it will happen, he had said, pointing at a fight between two former coalition partners Congress and JD(S).
Ruling out any merger proposals before him, Kumaraswamy, hitting out at Congress and its leader Siddaramaiah, today asserted that his aim is to bring JD(S) to power independently in 2023, and blamed those who are on their way out from the party for spreading such rumours.
"I have already spoken about JD(S)' stand.There is no question of merging JD(S) with any other party until we are alive.
We are not here for power.For the last ten years we have worked in the opposition," Kumaraswamy said.
Deve Gowda built JD(S) to fight for the cause of the people and in his six decades long political life he was in power for just four or five years, the former Chief Minister said, while noting that joining hands with Congress has affected party's prospects and expressed hopes about coming to power on own.
"..no one can finish JD(S).We have lakhs of workers... aimed at coming to power independently (in 2023) and protecting the interest of our workers, we will work together.
My real politics will begin in 2023. Till today the politics that I was doing was temporary politics, some incidents have happened.I'm confident of getting full support from the people in 2023," he added.
Meanwhile, Congress legislature party leader and former Chief Minister Siddarmaaiah alleged that BJP and JD(S) always had an internal understanding and the regional party was the "B team" of the BJP.
"They already have an understanding.They (JDS) have supported the passage of anti-farmer legislation, they have supported removing chairman in the council, they will also support during the new Chairman election.
It is hence proved that JD(S) is a B team of BJP," he said.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
