K'taka Assembly adjourned amidst dharna by Oppn, JD (S) members

Bangalore, July 14 (UNI) Karnataka Legislative Assembly was today adjourned for the day amidst dharna by suspended Janata Dal (S) members, led by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and the main opposition Congress.

Mr Siddaramaiah, who had announced his decision earlier to resign from the membership, sought to make a statement before submitting his resignation letter to Speaker Krishna.

However, the Speaker did not grant him permission, saying that Rules of Procedures did not have any provision to allow a member to make a statement prior to resigning from membership.

Leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh also supported Mr Siddaramaiah's contention.

When the Speaker did not relent, Mr Siddaramaiah and his supporters staged a dharna in the well of the House and they were soon joined by the Congress members. The Speaker then adjourned the House for an hour.

When the House reassembled, Mr Siddaramaiah and his supporters resumed their dharna and started shouting slogans in support of their demand following which the Speaker adjourned the House to Monday without transacting any business.

Consequently, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy could not give his reply to a short duration discussion on the Rs 150 crore bribery charge involving him and Forests Minister C Chennigappa.

Later, talking to newspersons, Mr Siddaramaiah said he would again insist on making a statement on Monday before submitting his resignation.

UNI SR RG PK VV1803