Belagavi: The ruling coalition and opposition BJP members clashed in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday over whether the debate on drought should continue indefinitely or the House should take up other subjects as per the agenda.
Former minister and BJP member Mr M.P. Renukacharya and JD(S) member Mr Shivalinge Gowda entered into a verbal altercation over the issue. Trouble started after zero hour, when Speaker Mr Ramesh Kumar initiated a debate on drought and asked Deputy Speaker Mr Krishna Reddy to chair the House. He had said that the debate would conclude at 2 pm and business would resume as per the agenda in the afternoon.
However, after some time, most ministers left the House and BJP members, objecting to the absence of the ministers, protested and staged a walkout. After lunch, when the proceedings resumed, BJP members wanted to continue the debate on drought while ruling members wanted Mr Ramesh Kumar to conduct the proceedings as per the agenda.
Opposition leader Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa said that since the ministers were absent, the debate was inconclusive and wanted the Speaker to allow the debate to be completed. Mr Ramesh Kumar said that he would partially accept the suggestion and allowed the debate for one and a half hours.
