BANGALORE: Claiming that the constitutional machinery in the state has collapsed, members of the Congress and JD(S) called on Governor H R Bhardwaj and urged him to pave way for the dissolution of the state government and hold fresh elections.
Delegations of the two parties submitted memoranda to this effect to the Governor in the Raj Bhavan on Thursday. While a delegation of Congress MLAs and MLCs called on the Governor, JD(S) floor leader in Assembly H D Revanna later met Bhardwaj separately.
‘CM’s Machinations Nixed Opp Debate’
Addressing newsmen at the Raj Bhavan, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of preventing the Opposition from raising the issue of the three BJP MLAs watching obscene videos inside the Legislature. “Our demand to the Governor was to uphold the high traditions of democracy and law of the land. We have urged him to invoke provisions of Article 356 of the Constitution and dismiss the state government.”
Accusing Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah of acting in a partisan manner, he added, “Bopaiah has proved his pro-government credentials... he toed the BJP’s line to prematurely adjourn the house sine die.” The Congress leader dubbed the decision to conduct an inquiry into the entire incident a mere eyewash. Siddaramaiah asserted that the Speaker should have expelled the three ministers from the house.
“CM D V Sadananda Gowda instigated BJP members to create a commotion so that the Opposition would be prevented from raising the issue,” he said.
JD(S) Seeks Prez Rule
JD(S) floor leader in the Assembly H D Revanna at a separate press meet, too informed that the party had urged the Governor to impose President’s rule in the state.
The memorandum submitted by the JD(S) also states that the Speaker had failed in his duty.