In a major set back to the ruling BJP in Karnataka, the Supreme Court quashed Assembly Speaker's decision to disqualify 16 MLAs ahead of the no confidence motion in October last year which had ensured survival of the Yeddyurappa government. A bench headed by Justice Altamas Kabir while quashing the speaker's decision said basic constitutional values and principles of natural justice were not observed by Speaker K G Bopaiah in disqualifying the 11 rebel BJP and five independent legislators. The apex court passed the order while setting aside the Karnataka High Court order upholding the Speaker's decision. The disqualified legislators had moved the apex court.