A one-day special meeting of the Karnataka legislative council, sought by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to remove the chairman of the house who belongs to the Congress, was marked by bedlam and scuffles between rival legislators, forcing its sine die adjournment, leaving the state at the edge of a potential constitutional crisis.
BJP and Congress members shoved and pushed each other over the ruling party’s attempt to oust council chairman K Prathapchandra Shetty through a no-confidence motion as chaos descended on the House.
When the house convened on Tuesday morning, deputy chairman S L Dharame Gowda of the Janata Dal (Secular) occupied the chairman’s seat. Congress members of the legislative council (MLCs) tried to push him out. As chairman Shetty tried to occupy the seat, BJP MLCs objected, saying he cannot preside over a no-confidence motion against himself.
Congress members led by the party’s leader in the council, S R Patil, said the no-confidence motion had already been rejected by the Chairman’s secretariat because of procedural lapses and no one except Shetty could preside over the house. Congress MLC Narayanaswamy was seen pushing Dharame Gowda out of the chairman’s seat and occupying it.
Revenue minister R Ashoka accused the Congress of assaulting not only BJP council members but also the marshals as well as the watch and ward staff. Chief minister B S Yediyurappa too hit out at the Congress.
{{/usCountry}}Revenue minister R Ashoka accused the Congress of assaulting not only BJP council members but also the marshals as well as the watch and ward staff. Chief minister B S Yediyurappa too hit out at the Congress.
{{/usCountry}}“Even after knowing that they do not enjoy the confidence of the house, it is unfortunate that the Congress and Shetty have behaved in this manner. After being served a no-confidence motion how can the person against whom it has been served preside over it?” Yediyurappa aked.
Congress members defended the move. Patil said: “The no-confidence motion was rejected by the Chairman. They were trying to rule through the deputy Chairman against the rules of the house and the constitution.”
BJP had served a notice of a no-confidence against Shetty, but the council chairman on December 10 adjourned the house sine die, saying that it did not meet the minimum 14-day advance notice period.The BJP then approached governor Vajjubhai Vala to reconvene the council for one day to enable it to remove the chairman.
The BJP also wanted to pass the controversial Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle 2020 bill, which was to be also taken up for consideration.