Karnataka, November 13: The Supreme Court today gave its verdict on the disqualification of the rebel MLAs in Karnataka by the then assembly speaker KR Ramesh Kumar. The Apex Court on Wednesday upheld the Karnataka Speaker’s decision and said that the 17 Karnataka MLAs can contest the by-elections in the state.

According to an ANI update,  Supreme Court said, "It is equally binding on the government and the opposition."Justice NV Ramana reads out saying, "We do not appreciate the manner in which the petitioners came to the Court." The verdict was pronounced by a three-judge bench of the top court, comprising of justices NV Ramana, Sanjeev Khanna and Krishna Murari. Karnataka Political Crisis: 14 Rebel MLAs Disqualified Ahead of Trust Vote, Cannot Fight Elections Until Expiry of Term, Says Speaker KR Ramesh.

Check ANI tweet:

The legislators had moved the top court against the speaker’s decision to disqualify and bar them from contesting elections under the anti-defection law till the current assembly expires in 2023. Karnataka By-Elections 2019 to Go As per Schedule, Setback for Disqualified MLAs.

The disqualified MLAs had recently approached the top court and asked it to direct Election Commission to postpone the assembly bypolls for the 15 seats till the verdict is pronounced.

Karnataka State Election Commission announced that the by-elections to 15 assembly seats will go as per schedule announced earlier. As per the dates, bypolls will be held on December 5. The counting of votes will take place on December 9 and results will be declared on the same day. The model code of conduct will come into effect from November 11, according to the Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 13, 2019 11:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).