Karnataka: 10 BJP MLAs suspended for disrespecting deputy speaker
At least 10 MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been suspended for the remaining session of the Karnataka Assembly for "indecent and disrespectful" conduct in the House and throwing papers toward Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani, PTI reported. The opposition legislators reportedly created a ruckus, tore the copies of bills passed in the assembly, and allegedly threw them toward Lamani.
Protest of BJP legislators trigger ruckus in Karnataka Assembly
The suspended BJP MLAs include Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan, V Sunil Kumar, R Ashok, Araga Jnanendra, Vedvyas Kamath, Yashpal Suvarna, Arvind Bellad, Devraj Muniraj, Umanath Kotyan, and Bharat Shetty. The BJP legislators held a protest in the House well against the Congress government delegating top government officials in the state to welcome leaders of various opposition parties for a two-day opposition summit in Bengaluru.
BJP legislators intensify protest after speaker canceled lunch break
Amid the protest, five bills were passed in the assembly. Later, Speaker UT Khader chose to discuss the budget without adjourning the proceedings for lunch and asked Lamani to preside over it. The decision outraged the MLAs, who escalated their protest. They tore up copies of the bills and flung them at Lamani, who accused them of targeting him because he was a Dalit.
Congress ministers slam marshals for leniency on BJP members
Meanwhile, the members of the ruling Congress slammed the House marshals for failing to act against the BJP legislators after they misbehaved with the deputy speaker. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh questioned why the marshals had not taken action against the BJP MLAs. Referring to the alleged inaction by the marshals, Gowda said, "You should be suspended first."
BJP may move 'no-confidence motion' against speaker
Reportedly, the five bills were passed in the assembly without debate, despite continuing protests from the well of the House by BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) members. After Lamani adjourned the House amid protest, the MLAs indicated that they were planning a no-confidence motion against the speaker, while Congress MLAs were heard demanding the suspension of BJP MLAs.
