BENGALURU: With Congress members continuing their protest for the fourth day on Friday in both the Houses, seeking dismissal of RDPR Minister KS Eshwarappa from the cabinet, Assembly Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri and Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti adjourned the sessions till Monday.
The opposition party had launched its protest on Tuesday and started the night dharna on Wednesday.
Even after the adjournment of the session, Congress members will continue their night dharna till their demand is met, party leaders said.
Earlier in the day, the Assembly convened for business an hour late at 12 noon, by paying tribute to former MLA G V Mantur (92), who passed away in Bagalkote on Thursday. Later, Congress MLAs, led by Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, trooped to the well of the House and raised slogans against Eshwarappa, calling him a ‘traitor’. They even called him a puppet of the RSS and urged the Chief Minister and Speaker to dismiss him from the cabinet.
As many appeals by the Speaker to the protesting members to cooperate went in vain, Law Minister J C Madhuswamy suggested taking action against the protesters. However, Speaker took the call to adjourn the session till Monday. In the Upper House, as soon as the proceedings began, Congress legislators demanded that Eshwarappa be dismissed from the Cabinet. They entered the well of the House, holding placards and raising slogans against the senior minister. Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed dragged the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and criticised them.
BJP MLCs too raised slogans against their Congress counterparts and said a case should be booked against Congress MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan for his statement linking rape to women’s clothing. As the House was not in order, Chairman Basavaraj Horatti adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes.
When the House reconvened, Leader of Opposition BK Hariprasad made it clear that they would not withdraw the protest until they get an assurance from the State Government of action against Eshwarappa.
BJP MLC MK Pranesh requested the Chairman to take action against those who do not uphold the dignity of the House.
In reply, Horatti said he will take stringent action in such cases and adjourned the House till Monday morning, amid protest by Congress MLCs.