Bangalore: The State Assembly will meet on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m. to test the majority enjoyed by the new coalition headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy, as directed by Governor T.N. Chaturvedi.

The Government is expected to sail through with ease, with the combined strength of the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) members being more than the required 113 in the House of 224.

The five-member JD (United) group and some of the independents are expected to support the motion.

Whip issued

Speaking to presspersons after a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party Legislature Party, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa exuded confidence that Mr. Kumaraswamy will get more than the required support from the BJP and the JD (S) members as also some others.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the MLAs of both the parties will gather at Vidhana Soudha at 8.30 a.m as per the direction of the Chief Minister for breakfast and they will proceed to the Assembly hall.

He also said that the meeting attended by senior party leaders such as K.S. Eshwarappa, the State unit president Jagadish Shettar and the floor leader in the Legislative Council D.H. Shankara Murthy, discussed the strategy to be adopted during the discussion.

Already, the party MLAs have been issued a whip to support the vote of confidence. He expected around 140 members to support the motion.

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (S) has decided to allow its members, numbering 46, and some independents to cast their conscience vote.

According to sources, this course has been taken by the party, in view of the dilemma among some members on the developments in the party in the last few weeks. Sources, however, expressed their hope that the Janata Dal (S) members and independents supporting it will vote in favour of Mr. Kumaraswamy-headed Government.

The BJP has 79 members. An independent member Rajasekhara Sindhoor has joined the party as an associate member and will also vote for the motion.

The decision of the Janata Dal (S) giving a chance to its members to cast their conscience vote may be advantageous to leaders of the AIPJD group led by Siddaramaiah, and former Deputy Chief Minsiter M.P. Prakash; former ministers P.G.R. Sindhia, D. Manjunath and Merajuddin Patel; as they may not vote for the motion. They might have to face disqualification as members if they violate the party whip under the anti-defection law.

Prohibitory orders

The city police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 within a radius of one kilometre from Vidhana Soudha from 6 a.m. to midnight on Wednesday in view of the legislative session.

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