The proceedings of the Legislative Council came to a halt for about three hours on Thursday with the House being adjourned twice as the Opposition members staged a dharna against the government’s delay in replying to the Tipu Jayanti issue.
In a call-attention notice, BJP member M.P. Sunil Subramani had alleged that the government observing Tipu Jayanti had hurt the sentiments of people of Kodagu district and that it had disturbed communal harmony. Leader of the House Jaimala had said on Wednesday that Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy would reply to the issue on Thursday.
Though the Chief Minister came to the Council, the issue did not come up for reply as the call-attention notice of the member had not been included in Thursday’s agenda.
Leader of the Opposition Kota Srinivasa Poojary objected to dropping the matter from the agenda and sought reasons. Chairman K. Prathapchandra Shetty said the Chief Minister had sought two weeks to reply.
Not satisfied, Mr. Poojary asked the government to make it clear when it would respond to the notice. When the government was not ready to reply, the Opposition members staged a dharna in the well of the House. Following this, the Chairman adjourned the House for lunch.
After the House reassembled, the Opposition members continued their dharna and the Chairman adjourned the House again over the same matter. It was announced later that the Chief Minister would reply to the issue on Monday.
Walkout in Assembly
Meanwhile, in the Assembly, the BJP staged a walkout against the absence of Ministers concerned during a discussion on drought.
When BJP member P. Rajeev was speaking on drought, his party colleague Arvind Limbavali intervened and drew the attention of the House to the absence of Ministers. He said: “The entire front row of the treasury bench is vacant. None of the Ministers concerned are present. What is the point in discussing drought.”
Leader of the Opposition B.S. Yeddyurappa said that if the government was not interested in responding to a serious issue such as drought, let the Assembly be adjourned. He then walked out and other BJP members followed.
