BJP MLC's allegation rocks K'taka Legislature

Bangalore, Jul 10: Both the Houses of the Karnataka Legislature were adjourned for the day amidst noisy scenes and dharna by the opposition Congress over the recent allegation made by a BJP legislator against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Forest Minister C Chennigappa.

In the Assembly, the Congress members earlier in the day temporarily withdrew their demand for a CBI probe into irregularities in the controversial Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project and sought to move an adjournment motion to discuss BJP MLC Janardhan Reddy's allegation that Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr Chennigappa had received a bribe of Rs 150 crore from the mining lobby in Bellary district.

Disallowing the motion, Speaker Krishna suggested that the Congress members could raise the issue in any other form. However, the opposition members persisted with their demand and amidst noisy scenes, the Speaker adjourned the House for lunch break.

When the House re-assembled, the Congress members stuck to their earlier stand and even demanded a CBI inquiry into the charges.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said the House could not discuss the issue as the Speaker had already given his ruling.

Mr Kumaraswamy reiterated that he was ready for a discussion on the issue, if the BJP member placed documentary evidences on the floor of the House to prove his charge. He was also exploring possibilities of initiating a criminal proceedings against the member in due course, he added.

When the Speaker took up other items on the agenda, the Congress members trooped to the well of the House and began shouting slogans. He then adjourned the House till tomorrow.

The Council too witnessed similar scenes, forcing Officiating Chairman Sachidananda Khot to adjourn the House for lunch break.

However, in the post-lunch session, the Chair suspended the question hour and allowed the Congress to move the adjournment motion on the issue.

Soon after the Leader of the Opposition H K Patil made a preliminary submission on the motion, Mr Prakash Rathod (Congress) flashed a laptop and said he was ready to make an audio-video presentation to prove the charge against Mr Kumaraswamy.

Mr Khot refused permission for the presentation following which the Congress members trooped to the well and staged a dharna. He then adjourned the House to tomorrow.

UNI