BMIC issue eclipses Legislature for second day

Bangalore, Jun 20: The controversial Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project and related issues continued to overshadow the Karnataka Legislature for the second day today, with both the Houses being adjourned for the day without transacting any business following the main Opposition Congress continuing to stall proceedings over the issue.

When the Assembly began for the day, the Congress members trooped to the well of the House and continued their dharna and slogan shouting against the Speaker converting the adjournment motion moved by them over the issue into a matter to be discussed under a different rule. Speaker Krishna adjourned the House for 15 minutes amidst noisy scenes.

However, the Opposition was adamant in its stand, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for the day.

The Congress had yesterday moved an adjournment motion pertaining to a statement made by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on June 13, wherein he had stated that a former Minister and a journalist had tried to woo him in connection with the BMIC project. The Congress members had demanded the resignation of Mr Kumaraswamy on charges of suppressing facts, particularly not divulging the names of the duo.

However, the Speaker, after hearing the Congress' preliminary submissions, had withheld consent to the notice and allowed for a discussion under a different rule. Insisting that the issue be taken up in the form of an adjournment motion, the Congress members had staged dharna, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House.

The situation was no different in the Council, with the Congress members continuing to stall House proceedings by staging a dharna.

As repeated pleas by Deputy Chairman Sachidanand Khot to take up discussion on the issue under Rule 68 went unheeded, he adjourned the House for lunch break.

When the Council re-assembled at 1738 hrs, the Congress members, led by Leader of the Opposition H K Patil, continued their dharna, demanding that the Chair summon the Chief Minister to discuss his controversial statement.

Higher Education Minister D H Shankaramurthy and BJP member 'Mukhya Mantri' Chandru's appeals to the Congress members to resume their seats and participate in the discussion under Rule 68 were drowned in the din.

As the agitating Congress members were unrelenting in their stand, Mr Khot adjourned the House for the day.

UNI

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