BANGALORE: The Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a heated exchange between the Opposition and ruling party members when Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said that there was a constitutional crisis with the BJP government having lost its majority.
Commenting on the absence of MLAs owing allegience to former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, Siddaramaiah lambasted the BJP for being irresponsible and insensitive to the problems of the common man. “Where are the members? The ruling party members themselves have said that they would not allow the chief minister to present the budget. Does it not amount to constitutional crisis?” Siddaramaiah questioned.
Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda intervened and said that the day’s proceedings was earmarked only for obituary references and other issues could be discussed in the subsequent days. “I do not deny that there are confusions and fissures in the BJP. But it is incorrect to term it a constitutional crisis. Let us pay condolences to Dr V S Acharya and then we can discuss all issues.”
Gowda refuted Siddaramaiah’s charge that proper notices weren’t given to members about convening of the session, adding that it had been convened as per the rules.
In the Legislative Council too, Leader of Opposition C Motamma objected at not being intimated properly prior to convening the session. “I want to know who is the CM? Is this how you run a state?” she asked.