BJP Protests Against Siddaramiah Government in Karnataka Assembly

BJP leaders in Karnataka held a night-long sit-in at the Vidhan Soudha, protesting against alleged scams by the Siddaramiah government. Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khadar said that an urgent discussion on the issue could not be encouraged as it would set a bad precedent for assembly proceedings.

Speaker UT Khadar’s Statement: Any subject cannot be discussed on urgent motion, it is only for urgent cases and public issues. There shouldn’t be any judicial or constitutional enquiry… In the Valmiki issue, I allowed discussion for 4 days, but this issue is not urgent and is 12 years old… I cannot set a bad precedent for assembly proceedings as a Speaker.

Karnataka State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil described the BJP’s sit-in protest as a political drama. This is nothing but a political drama… It is ridiculous… The CM, because of the allegations against him and MUDA, appointed an inquiry commission. What more do you want?… I met them (protesting BJP MLAs) as they are my colleagues, but we did not discuss the issue.

On Wednesday night, BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition R Ashok and BJP Karnataka President BY Vijayendra, slept inside the assembly in protest, demanding a discussion on the alleged MUDA scam. Vijayendra accused the speaker of bias and suppressing freedom of expression. You are suppressing the right to freedom of expression by not allowing us to fight against your wrongdoings democratically. You are oppressing the constitutional right by standing against the voice of the people brought forth by the opposition party in both houses of the temple of democracy. A partisan speaker dancing to your tune is a black spot in the legislative system.

The MUDA scam involves allegations of creating fake documents and obtaining plots worth crores of rupees.