Karnataka Political Crisis: After observing that resingation of 15 ruling combine MLAs and withdrawal of support by two independents "prima facie" indicated he has lost the confidence of the House, Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Thursday asked Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to prove his majority in the state assembly before 1.30 pm on Friday.

The Governor's direction to Kumarraswamy came after a delegation of opposition BJP leaders called on him and requested him to direct the speaker to conduct the vote of confidence on Thursday itself, amid fears by the party that the ruling coalition was trying to prolong the debate and buy time to shore up numbers.

"Though a message as contemplated under article 175 (2) is sent to the Speaker, I'm informed that the House is adjourned today (Thursday). Under these circumstances, I request you to prove your majority on the floor of the House on or before 1:30 PM tomorrow (Friday)," Vala has said in a letter to Kumaraswamy.

Earlier in the day, the assembly was adjourned till Friday morning amid acrimony during the debate on the motion of confidence.

"In my capacity as the head of the state I had not intervened on the matter having regard to the fact that the House was called and Trust vote has been moved.

"However, it has been reported to me that the proceedings of the House today for vote of confidence has been stalled and consequently adjourned without reaching any finality. This cannot go on in a democratic set up governed by the constitution of India," the governor said in his letter, copies of which were made available to media.

Minister in the Kumaraswamy cabinet D K Shivakumar confirmed receipt of the Governor's letter to Chief Minister. "The Speaker is conducting the House, he will have to give MLAs an opportunity to discuss, at such time from BJP friends are trying to put pressure through the Governor's office," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)