BENGALURU: The Assembly session that was to begin at 10 am on Tuesday commenced only past 12 noon in the absence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and at least 10 ministers. Reason: They were participating in a protest organised by the Congress against the VB-G RAM G Act, which has replaced MGNREGA. As a result, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda answered the questions on behalf of the CM, Deputy CM and ministers. Several Congress MLAs, whose questions were listed to be taken up, were also absent.
Speaker UT Khader began the day’s proceedings by reading out a congratulatory message for the eight Padma awardees from Karnataka. However, no government representative was present to formally congratulate the winners. After Opposition members insisted, the Speaker took the attendance of ministers who were to be present in the House and read out the names of the ministers— KH Muniyappa, KJ George, Dinesh Gundurao, Dr HC Mahadevappa, Krishna Byregowda, Priyank Kharge, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, Eshwar B Khandre, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, Laxmi Hebbalkar, and MC Sudhakar. Except for Byregowda, the others were absent.
Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil were also present. Opposition members reminded Khader about his decision in the recent Business Advisory Committee meeting. Replying, Speaker Khader said that he had told the ministers that if they are punctual, the MLAs will also be on time.
“But if you (ministers) are in your chambers, the MLAs will come looking for you there and will skip the proceedings. That is why ministers should be present in the House both morning and evening. But, we know why it has been delayed today (Tuesday)’,” Khader said.
Irked by his reply, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said that the Speaker is not a Congressman.
During the Question Hour, several Congress MLAs were absent, including Hirekerur MLA UB Banakar. BJP leaders said it’s not just ministers who have to answer questions who are absent, but there are no Congress legislators to ask questions. Interestingly, when the Speaker called out BJP MLA HK Suresh’s name, Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda stood up to answer. But the BJP MLA was absent. “You (BJP) members were accusing Congress leaders (of missing the proceedings), it is the same story with you,” the Speaker quipped.