Bengaluru: Amidst protests by the united Opposition, the Legislative Council gave its nod to the Karnataka City Corporations (amendment) Bill, 2015 popularly known as the BBMP division bill which empowers the state government to divide BBMP into five parts.
The bill was earlier defeated in the Council, however the Congress government ensured its passage in the Assembly and sent it to the Council for approval on Wednesday. As per convention and procedure, the Upper House passed the bill without any discussion. Law and parliamentary affairs minister T.B. Jayachandra stated that since the bill was passed in the Assembly, technically it had to get the approval of the Upper House.
However, Opposition members vehemently opposed the government’s intention of bringing the bill again in the Council though it was defeated just a day ago. BJP members criticized the move saying the government had malafide intentions in bringing back the bill. BJP member V. Somanna urged the Chair to allow a discussion on the bill to ensure clarity about BBMP division.
However, the Council chairman did not allow a discussion. Protesting against the government’s stand on dividing BBMP, BJP and JD(S) members staged a walkout. Meanwhile, the ruling party issued a whip to its members directing all of them to be present in the House.
Reject BBMP bill: Opposition to Governor
A day after the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill was passed for the second time by the Legislative Assembly, leaders of BJP and JD(S) knocked on the doors of Governor Vajubhai Vala and urged him to reject the legislation for division of BBMP, on Wednesday.
The leaders of these two parties met Mr Vala separately and submitted memorandum to him in Raj Bhavan.
In their memorandum, leaders of the state unit of BJP alleged that the state government was trying to postpone elections to BBMP despite verdicts by the Supreme Court and the Karnataka High Court for conduct of polls on time.
The amendment bill was rejected by a select committee of the Legislative Council and subsequently defeated by members of the upper House. In the lower House, the government misused its majority to ensure smooth passage of the bill for the second time. The intention of the government was not to provide better administration in Bengaluru city, but only to postpone the elections.
We are not beggars, KSE to Speaker Thimmappa
Opposition leader in the Legislative Council K.S. Eshwarappa came down heavily on Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa for his adverse remarks against Upper House members who had defeated the BBMP division bill on Monday. On Wednesday, the Legislative Council passed the bill amidst a walkout by BJP and JD(S) members. Mr Eshwarappa said Mr Kagodu Thimmappa has no power to interfere in the functions of the Council.
Being an experienced politician, the Speaker should not make remarks against the Upper House, he said. “We are not under the control of the Assembly Speaker, Council members are not orphaned babies. Mr Thimmappa is not a dictator to tell us about our rights. We are not beggars, the Speaker’s statement against the Upper House is clearly a misuse of his power”, Mr Eshwarappa remarked.
Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy endorsed the statement of the Opposition leader and said the government should take note of the sentiments of members of the Upper House. Deputy leader of the Opposition K.B. Shanappa said the words used by the Speaker were not in good taste, he had no power to encroach on the powers and functions of the Upper House.
