BENGALURU: Amid sloganeering and protests by members of BJP and JD(S) for the third consecutive day in the Legislative Council, the state government pushed through three important bills on Thursday. Karnataka state Law University (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Karnataka Co-Operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and Karnataka state RDPR University (Amendment) Bill, 2016, were passed by the House despite protests by Opposition members who were demanding minister K.J. George’s resignation in the wake of DySP M.K. Ganapati’s suicide.
BJP and JD(S) MLCs protest during the Council session on Thursday. (Photo: DC)
On Thursday, the proceedings commenced at 11:40 AM, but the House was adjourned till 12:10 PM in view of protests by agitating members. The House also witnessed a verbal duel between CM Siddaramaiah and the leader of Opposition, K.S. Eshwarappa, when the former asked the BJP leader to get out of the House. This irked Mr Eshwarappa who asked the CM not to use such words. These leaders were involved in a war of words but nothing was audible. While Mr Siddaramaiah accused leaders of the BJP and JD(S) of trying to “hijack” the proceedings, the opposition members contended that they would not withdraw their agitation till their demands were met. With no sign of order returning to the House, Chairman D H Shankara Murthy adjourned the proceedings till 11 AM on Friday.
Dr G Parameshwar may meet Congress leaders in New Delhi
Home minister Dr G. Parameshwar's visit to Delhi on Saturday has led to speculation that he may meet party leaders and discuss the political situation in the state. CM Siddaramaiah has deputed Dr Parameshwar to represent him at a meeting convened by PM Narendra Modi. Sources said Dr Parameshwar has not obtained appointment of party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi or Digvijay Singh. However the possibility of Dr Parameshwar meeting party leaders over the George episode is not ruled out.
