Monday, Dec 23, 2002
Monday, Dec 23, 2002 |
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Karnataka
By B.K. Vittal
It will be a stormy session that will generate considerable heat on several issues. As subjects of "less importance" have not been listed on the agenda, and as a discussion on a contentious issue has been scheduled for the first two days, the session is expected to be anything but "normal." The abduction of the JD(U) leader and former Minister, Nagappa, by the forest brigand, Veerappan, and his death after 106 days under mysterious circumstances are likely to dominate the session. The Opposition has made various allegations holding the Government responsible for Nagappa's killing. The Government's case is that the actions taken by it were preceded by due consultation with the Opposition. The session will start with an obituary reference to Nagappa, and a minute's silence will be observed as a mark of respect for him. But it is likely to be an eerie silence, and a heated and acrimonious debate that may last for more than two days. It is a session which the Government has voluntarily risked to convene, though there was no demand from the Opposition. Although the Government was under no obligation, technically, to call the session, it had done so to provide itself an official forum to meet the various charges made not only by political parties but also by certain religious group leaders after the death of Nagappa. What has piqued the Opposition is the announcement of a judicial inquiry into the killing of Nagappa a week prior to the session. The stand of the Opposition is that nothing prevented the Government from listening to what it had to say in the Legislature before ordering an inquiry. A suspicion expressed is that though the Government has gone on record that the judicial inquiry would not bar the Opposition from discussing the issue, it would try to scuttle the discussion by saying that a judicial inquiry has been ordered. The Opposition appears to be keen on a CBI investigation.
Cauvery issue
Another issue that is expected to dominate the proceedings is that of the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, letting down the interests of the State on the Cauvery issue. The Government, which convened a one-day special session of the Legislature on September 24 to discuss the issue, converted the discussion into one on drought. However, the session was adjourned abruptly, and it evoked strong protest from the Opposition. An indication had been given by the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, D.B. Chandre Gowda, that the Cauvery issue might figure during the session. The fact is that there is no change in the situation with the Supreme Court yet to pronounce its order on the contempt petition. This was one of the reasons given for the abrupt adjournment of the last session. The other issues, which the Opposition is planning to raise, are the failure of the Government to tackle the severe drought, and the neglect of development works.
`Bangalore chalo'
The Bharatiya Janata Party, the main Opposition in the two Houses, has planned a "Bangalore chalo" programme and demonstration in front of the Vidhana Soudha on December 26. One lakh people from various parts of the State are expected to participate.
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