“I’m obligated to the people of Karnataka, who are anxious about the instability and feeling helpless over the political developments. I will act according to the law,” said Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar over the fate of resignations tendered by the rebel legislators.
Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday after the Congress leaders, led by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao, petitioned him seeking disqualification of the rebel MLAs, Mr. Ramesh Kumar said: “I have also written to the Governor that my responsibility and first priority is to uphold the ideals of the Constitution. At the same time, people of the State are hurt and helpless. Keeping them in mind, I will do my job.”
Complaints from public
He confirmed that his office has received six complaints from the public, questioning the resignations and pointing to the wasteful expenditure.
Incidentally, Governor Vajubhai Vala has written to the Speaker drawing his attention to the meeting of the rebel legislators with him, where the MLAs requested the Governor to ask the Speaker to accept their resignations since they were stepping down voluntarily.
He said he was not losing any time on the issue and that the process had to be transparent, besides people need to know. “I cannot be accused of playing hide and seek.”
On the complaints received from the public, Mr. Ramesh Kumar said he will hold a public hearing and provide a chance to those who have complained to present their case. “Those who have complained are poor, street vendors and labourers who have opposed the resignations. Some have cited the prevailing drought and the others have raised constitutional issues,” he said.
The Speaker said: “First, I will hear them (legislators) and try to find out what is there on their mind. If there are complaints, I will go for public hearing. If there are no complaints, I will ascertain the position and act accordingly.”
