BANGALORE: In a move that could result in fireworks in the ongoing Legislature session, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) which met here on Tuesday has decided not to demand for the ouster of Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah, and will instead participate in the proceedings wearing black bands.
Issues such as the Supreme Court’s indictment of the Speaker on the MLA’s disqualification case were discussed at the meet which lasted a little over 90 minutes. Party sources, however, said that several members were in favour of pinning the government down on the issue and prevent further functioning of the house until the Speaker blinks.
However, the party has demanded the BJP leadership to direct Bopaiah to step down to pave the way for smooth conduct of the house.
After an assessment of the pros and cons, the CLP decided to attend the session, and take on the government on issues that it has been found wanting such as tackling drought, power crisis and the appointment of Lokayukta.
Later, while addressing the Media after the meeting, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Siddaramaiah said: “The Congress’ protest against the Speaker will continue till Bopaiah steps down.”
He expressed confidence that the government will not run away from the house as it did in the past. “The party has decided to take part in the session in the interests of the people who had to suffer due to the government’s negligence,” he said.
According to sources, the Congress has decided to serve an adjournment motion on Wednesday on the government’s failure to tackle the drought; this is in addition to a notice demanding debate on the SC judgment on the case relating to the disqualification of MLAs.
KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar was also present at the meet.
Assembly Remembers Bangarappa, L Basavaraju
Bangalore: On Tuesday, the state Assembly paid rich tribute to eminent personalities who had passed away recently, including former chief minister S Bangarappa and renowned writer and thinker L Basavaraju. As soon as the house assembled for the second day, Speaker K G Bopaiah moved a motion condoling the demise of five dignitaries - S Bangarappa, former MLAs Mahadev, R S Nadoni, Somappa Suvarna and Basavaraju.
CM D V Sadananda Gowda hailed Bangarappa as the champion of the poor and the downtrodden who had worked for the social and economical upliftment of the suppressed classes. “The departed socialist leader who had won seven times in state Assembly elections and represented the Shimoga Lok Sabha seat thrice was a towering political personality. Several pro-poor programmes launched by him such as Ashraya and Aaradhane are still in vogue,” he said.
Gowda said that no matter which party Bangarappa defected to he never lost his instincts. “Bangarappa was the first CM to announce free power supply for farmers.”