Accused of partisanship, Assembly Speaker says can’t set bad precedent for proceedings

BENGALURU: After state BJP leaders staged a night-long sit-in at the Vidhana Soudha protesting against what they allege are the various scams of the Siddaramiah government, Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Thursday said that the BJP’s demand for an urgent discussion on the issue could not be encouraged as it would set a bad precedent for Assembly proceedings.

“Any subject cannot be discussed on urgent motion, it is only for urgent cases and public issues. There shouldn’t be any judicial or constitutional enquiry… In the Valmiki Corporation issue, I allowed discussion for four days, but this issue is not urgent and is 12 years old… I cannot set a bad precedent for Assembly proceedings as a Speaker”, Khader said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: On BJP protest at the state Assembly, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khadar says, “Any subject cannot be discussed on urgent motion, it is only for urgent cases and public issues. There shouldn’t be any judicial or constitutional enquiry… In the… pic.twitter.com/8hjk2CQW0y

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024

Speaking on the same, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said that the BJP’s sit-in protest was nothing but a political drama. “This is nothing but a political drama… It is ridiculous… The CM, because of the allegations against him and MUDA, appointed an inquiry commission. What more do you want?… I met them (protesting BJP MLAs) as they are my colleagues, but we did not discuss the issue”, Patil said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On BJP MLAs’ protest in Karnataka Assembly over MUDA alleged scam, State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil says, “This is nothing but a political drama…It is ridiculous…The CM because of the allegations against him and MUDA, appointed an… pic.twitter.com/7CJWMT7thf

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024

On Wednesday night, BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, slept inside the Assembly in protest and demanded discussion on the alleged MUDA scam. Vijayendra accused the speaker of adopting a partisan role and not permitting the opposition to make its point on the alleged MUDA scam.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: BJP MLAs including Leader of Opposition R Ashok and BJP Karnataka President BY Vijayendra slept inside the assembly. BJP MLAs are in a protest demanding discussion on the alleged MUDA scam by sleeping in the Assembly.

(Video Source: Karnataka BJP) pic.twitter.com/rJtV62KLFI

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2024

“You are suppressing the right to freedom of expression by not allowing us to fight against your wrongdoings democratically. You are oppressing the constitutional right by standing against the voice of the people brought forth by the opposition party in both houses of the temple of democracy. A partisan speaker dancing to your tune is a black spot in the legislative system”, Vijayendra said in a statement on X. (ANI)