BJP MLA indulges in altercation with top bureaucrat in Assembly

Bangalore, Mar 23 (UNI) The Karnataka Legislative Assembly today witnessed an unusual incident where a, BJP member indulged in a verbal attack on a top bureaucrat.

As soon as Speaker Krishna adjourned the House for ten minutes following noisy scenes, BJP member from Honnali Renukacharya went to the officials' gallery and confronted Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department Secretary V P Baligar for participating in a tender for a drinking water project in a grama panchayat in his constituency. He reportedly questioned the propriety of the Karnataka Land Army, of which Mr Baligar is the Chairman and Managing Director, participating in the tender process. However, some members rushed and avoided a major confrontation.

Later when the House re-assembled, Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj raised the issue and sought protection for the officials. His views were endorsed by the Congress members.

Former Deputy Chief Minister M P Prakash said that after the introduction of the Transparency Act, it was mandatory for institutions like the Land Army to participate in the tender process and there was nothing wrong in it. If the Act needed any amendment, it should be discussed in the House. He termed the incident as ''unfortunate'' and urged the members to forget about it and continue with the House proceedings.

The Speaker put an end to the issue, stating that the members should seek his prior permission to meet officials henceforth.

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