We need stronger anti-defection law, says Ramesh Kumar

In the backdrop of this event, Thanthi TV interviewed KR Ramesh Kumar, the Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly, in which he speaks about his decisions of delaying the no-confidence motion and whether last-minute efforts to safeguard Kumaraswamy’s government were made. He also explainswhether the new government would last.

Responding to a question, Kumar defends his decision of banning three disqualified MLAs from contesting till 2023 and says that he had followed rules, which ban disqualified MLAs from contesting till the present government’s term.

“We need strongeranti-defection law. Events such as one that happened in Karnataka emphasises the need for a stronger law,” he said when asked whether the law needs amendments.

Debunking the allegations that he had delayed the voting on no-confidence motion, he said that he had not delayed the voting. “There is a precedence of debate on the motion before putting into voting and I did not try to delay the voting,” he said.