BELAGAVI: The winter session of the Legislative Council began on a stormy note on Monday with the BJP demanding the resignation of Bengaluru Development Minister K J George, one of the accused in the alleged suicide of Mangaluru’s former deputy commissioner of police Ganapathy. Puncturing every argument made by BJP members, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah categorically said, “George need not resign. If BJP wants to raise the issue just for political purpose, we are also ready to counter it politically.”
Responding to the adjournment motion moved by Opposition leader K S Eshwarappa to discuss the shortcomings in the probe of Ganapathy’s death, Siddaramaiah said the motion was unfit to be accepted because the rules of the House did not permit it. He added that even in the past he was not in favour of George resigning but the latter insisted on it. He reiterated that since the apex court had neither questioned the merit of investigation by the state nor mentioned the minister’s name in its order, there was no question of George’s resignation.
Earlier, when Eshwarappa raised the issue by moving an adjournment motion, ruling party members pressed for taking it up in the Question Hour. The Chairman, however, allowed Eshwarappa to make his statement in 5-8 minutes. The latter referred to the apex court’s verdict directing the government to hand over the probe into Ganapathy’s death to the CBI and accused the government of protecting a murderer.
What followed was pandemonium with treasury bench members interrupting Eshwarappa’s speech and BJP members stepping into the well of the House raising slogans against the government. The Chairman was forced to adjourn the House.
Chairman rejects motion
As the House resumed, BJP members again rushed to the well seeking George’s resignation. They, however, decided to return to their seats after Siddaramaiah requested them to do so. George took the opportunity to say CBI probe will find the culprits. While House leader M R Sitharam quoted the rules to prove the motion was tenable, the CM argued against the motion. The Chairman rejected the motion saying that the Council has never allowed any discussion under the adjournment motion. BJP members again rushed to the well and the Chairman decided to call it a day.