BANGALORE: Opposition Leader in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah charged that the BJP government in the state has been continuing illegally in office since October 2010 following the disqualification of 16 legislators, including five Independents, which the Supreme Court nullified later.
Making a preliminary submission on an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition Congress, Siddaramaiah said, “Had the Speaker acted in an impartial manner while disposing of the petition on disqualification in October 2010, the present government would not have been in office.”
Describing the previous BJP government led by B S Yeddyurappa and also his successor D V Sadananda Gowda as illegal, Siddaramaiah demanded the ouster of Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah immediately.
“Following severe strictures passed by the country's highest court in the disqualification of five Independent MLA's, the continuance of Bopaiah in his office is most dishonest and an affront to all Parliamentary and democratic norms,” Siddaramaiah charged.
Making a strong plea to adjourn all other businesses to take up the motion for the debate, Siddaramaiah said, “The Speaker has to function impartially and uphold the dignity, decorum and privileges of all 224 members of the House. Bopaiah has failed in this regard.”
He also said that due to Bopaiah's act, the sanctity of the chair has been eroded.
Opposing the motion for debate, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Sureshkumar said, “The Supreme Court is supreme not because it is infallible. It is supreme because it is final.” Appealing to the Chair not to entertain the motion, he said, “The matter is not so urgent as to be taken up for debate adjourning all other businesses of the House.”
The Deputy Speaker, who was in the Chair, however, disallowed the motion much to the chagrin of the Opposition and Independents and adjourned the Hosue. Earlier, as a mark of protest, Congress members and Independents wore black bands during proceedings.
The Opposition members were surprised when Deputy Speaker Yogish Bhat adorned the Chair instead of Bopaiah. When the House resumed, the Congress and the five Independent members pleaded to the Chair to reconsider its ruling on the adjournment motion, which was disallowed earlier.
The Independent MLAs also rushed to the well, brandishing black cloth and raised slogans against the Speaker before the House was adjourned for the day.