The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 13 November upheld the disqualification of 17 Karnataka MLAs of the former Congress-JD (S) MLAs government by the then Assembly speaker KR Ramesh Kumar, but said that they can recontest the 5 December bypolls.
The SC said the Speaker cannot disqualify an MLA till the end of the term of the assembly, which means the disqualified MLAs can contest the bypolls, nominations for which are being filed. The BJP is likely to field the rebels on most of the seats.
The disgruntled MLAs then moved the apex court challenging their disqualification. They sought quashing of the order passed by the speaker and prohibition imposed on them to contest elections.
By-polls to 15 out of these 17 assembly seats which fell vacant following the disqualification of MLAs are scheduled on 5 December and candidates are required to file their nomination papers between 11 November and 18 November.
The disqualified MLAs had recently approached the apex court seeking a direction to the Election Commission to postpone the assembly by-polls for these 15 seats till the pronouncement of verdict in the matter.