BANGALORE: Turning the heat on Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah demanded that the BJP leaders ask him to step down, in view of the Supreme Court passing strictures against him in the case relating to the disqualification of 16 legislators.
Addressing the Media here on Monday, he said that this has rendered Bopaiah’s continuance in office untenable. He averred that the Speaker should have avoided sharing the dias with the Governor during the joint address of the Legislature. “Bopaiah’s continuance in his office is nothing short of an affront to Constitutional norms and democracy,” he said, while urging the government to pave the way for smooth conduct of the Assembly. Siddaramaiah also informed that the Congress will step up its protest against the Speaker, and added that it will be difficult to cooperate with the Treasury benches.
“Let the Deputy Speaker officiate the house,” he said.
Siddaramaiah added that the Governor’s address to the Legislature had nothing new to offer. “The government’s false achievements have been highlighted through the address. The plight of the people remain ignored,” he added.
JD(S)’ Status Quo on Speaker
The JD(S) will maintain status quo on its demand for the resignation of Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah who has been indicted by the Supreme Court on the issue of disqualification of MLAs. “Pragmatism demands that we should not go all-out against the Speaker for two reasons. The ruling party has made it clear that it will not replace Bopaiah; and two, there isn’t sufficient time to give notice to move the no-confidence motion against the Speaker. It would only be prudent to allow the House to function and corner the government on other issues,” a party MLA told Express. Legislature rules stipulate that a mandatory 14-day notice period has to be served to the Speaker to move the no-confidence motion against him. “It is going to be an exercise in futility if we disrupt the House and proceedings,” another legislator said.