<span style="color: #222222;">In other important decision, the apex court today upheld the disqualification of 17 Congress-JD(S) MLAs by the then Karnataka Speaker but allowed them to contest the upcoming by-polls to be held on 5th of December.<br />'' <br />'' The court, however, struck down the portion of the Speaker's order by which the legislators were disqualified till the end of the term of 15 Karnataka Assembly.<br />'' <br />'' The court said, if elected in by-polls, these disqualified MLAs can become Ministers or hold public office.<br />'' <br />'' The top court passed the verdict on petitions filed by the disqualified MLAs.<br />'' <br />'' In July this year, 17 MLAs were disqualified by the then Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar based on the complaint of Congress and JD (S).<br />'' <br />''The absence and resignation of these MLAs from the Assembly during the trust vote led to the collapse of then Kumaraswamy-led Government.</span>