Congress rushes 3 Bills through House.
BENGALURU: The standoff between the state government and the combined Opposition led to a complete stalemate on Thursday as the government pushed through a slew of bills in the Legislative Assembly, in a move to end the run of a session that has proved hugely embarrassing for the government.
As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declined to yield to the demand to sack Bengaluru Development Minister, K.J. George, from the cabinet on Thursday, leaders of BJP and JD (S) made a marginal shift from their earlier demand for a CBI probe, to say they were agreeable to a judicial probe, but only if Mr George resigned from his post.
Emerging from the meeting, leader of Opposition, Jagadish Shettar said: "If Mr George resigns, the Chief Minister is free to order a judicial probe. But the Chief Minister made it very clear that he would not drop Mr George. He kept saying that Mr George is innocent and that he cannot be punished merely on the basis of allegations." The government is expected to push through the critical Finance Bill on Friday and adjourn the house sine die on Monday.
CM refuses to axe George, standoff continues
The standoff between the state government and the combined Opposition continued in the Assembly as CM Siddaramaiah declined to yield to the demand for axing Minister K.J. George, from the cabinet on Thursday. Speaker K.B. Koliwad held a meeting between representatives of the government and leaders of Opposition parties after they launched a dharna demanding the resignation of Mr George on Wednesday. At the meeting, leaders of BJP and JD (S) climbed down from their demand for a CBI probe, yet the faceoff did not end.
Emerging from the meeting, leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar said: “We told the CM that Mr George should step down, pending investigation. We told him that if he steps down, we are ready to climb down from our demand for a CBI probe. And we also suggested that in case he resigns, the CM is free to order a judicial probe. But the Chief Minister made it very clear that he would not drop Mr George.”
