Karnataka: Dr G Parameshwar in a hurry, BJP, JD(S) members boo minister

Bengaluru: High drama was witnessed in the Legislative Council on Wednesday on the issue of home minister Dr G Parameshwar’s reply to the debate on suicide of deputy Superintendent of police M K Ganapati, with legislators of BJP and JD (S) staging a protest in the well of the House.

The combined Opposition staged a protest when Dr Parameshwar requested Chairman D H Shankara Murthy to allow him to reply on Thursday because the cabinet meeting was scheduled to commence at 6 pm.

Leader of the Opposition, K S Eshwarappa, however did not agree and insisted that the home minister make his statement today as agreed at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

Dr Parameshwar said he had to gather more details as MLCs had asked for additional information on the issue. The government would make a detailed statement on Thursday as several important issues were listed for discussion at the cabinet meeting, he added.

His statement triggered a joint protest by legislators of BJP and Janata Dal (S).
Though it was a strategic move by the ruling party to postpone the reply by a day in order to prevent Opposition legislators’ from staging an overnight dharna.

Mr Puttanna (JD-S) said he his party members would wait for a couple of hours for the home minister’s statement. Under pressure from the ruling party, Chairman Mr Shankara Murthy adjourned the House.

Talking to the media later, Mr Eshwarappa flayed the government for its escapist attitude and declared that they would continue to hold day and night dharna till the government agreed to the twin demands of dropping Mr George from the ministry and refer the case to CBI.