BENGALURU, 23 FEB

Opposition BJP and JD(S) protested against Congress government over the passing of resolutions targeting Central government which rocked Legislative Assembly proceedings on Friday, forcing adjournments.

Opposition demanded that the government withdraw the resolutions passed on Thursday which urged the Union government to make sure that no injustice is done to the State in the allocation of financial resources and to frame legislation regarding fixation of MSP for all crops of farmers.

BJP and JD(S) MLAs chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Modi Modi’ in the Assembly to protest against the Siddaramiah-led government. The Opposition leaders created a song saying, “Siddaramaiah government is chey chey (brush it away) and Siddaramiah economy is chey chey.” They targeted Congress over the Budget saying it would lead the State to more debt.

Amidst the chaos, two bills were passed in the Assembly on Friday without debate. Karnataka Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Bill, 2024, and Karnataka Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were passed amid BJP and JD(S) members shouting slogans against the government from the well of the House.

Karnataka Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Bill amends the 1956 Act which makes provisions to exempt the office of the Advisor to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, Chairman or Member to any Commission and the Vice Chairman of the State Institute for the transformation of Karnataka from incurring disqualification for being an MLA or MLC on such appointment.

According to Karnataka Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2024, if an MLA is not interested in being a member of Bagair Hukum Committee, the State government is empowered to nominate any resident of the constituency as a member of the committee. The present provision of the act says the member of the Assembly has to be one of the members of the committee.

However on the last day of the Assembly on Friday, the discussion was to be held on the reply to the State budget and the passage of the finance bill. Chief Minister was not available for the discussion due to health reason and the session will end on Monday

Ashoka reads out counter resolution

Leader of Opposition R Ashoka read out a "counter resolution" against the resolution brought against Centre by State government. But it was not considered or put to vote as due procedures were not followed, the Speaker said.

Ashoka said the resolutions were brought against the Central government all of a sudden and unilaterally, without bringing it to their notice or discussing it at the BAC meeting; it was also not mentioned in the agenda. "Why did the government bring the resolution in a hush-hush manner, despite having a majority in the House? They could have mentioned it in the agenda and introduced the resolution openly as per procedure. We too would have put forward our stand and objections against the resolutions. Assembly and its rules have been insulted," Ashoka said while demanding the resolutions should be withdrawn.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil, who had moved the resolution on Thursday and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda defended the government's action. “I condemn the Opposition's objections to the unanimous voice of seven crore people of the State and resolutions have been moved and passed as per law and there is no question of withdrawing it. You (Opposition) introspect whether you are for Karnataka's interest or want to do politics," the minister said.

Gowda said BJP's 25 MPs in Lok Sabha from Karnataka never raised any issue in the interest of the State in Parliament. This led to heated arguments between both sides.

Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said the Congress which ruled the country for about 55 years had kept the devolution of funds to states at 20 per cent for a long time; it took 30 years to raise it to 30 per cent after protests and struggle by several states. The UPA government for 10 years did not heed the demand to raise it to 40 per cent, but the Modi government soon after coming to power raised it to 42 per cent.