K'taka Speaker disallows privilege motion

Belgaum, Sep 26: Rejecting the privilege motion moved by the Opposition members in the Karnataka Assembly, Speaker Krishna today ruled that no rules and procedures have been violated in convening the special session of the Legislature in Belgaum.

Delivering his ruling after over two hours of debate on the motion moved by JD(U) Legislator J C Madhuswamy, Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha member Vatal Nagaraj and CPI(M)'s G V Srirama Reddy, the Speaker said the special session had been convened by following the rules books and the Constitution. No rules have been flouted in convening the session outside Bangalore and there was no breach of privilege of the Legislators, the Chair ruled, before adjourning the House for lunch.

Earlier in the day, the House witnessed unruly scenes following the treasury and opposition benches trading charges, culminating in the walkout of the entire Opposition from the House and a brief adjournment by the Speaker.

When the House re-assembled at 1400 hrs, Mr Nagaraj, Mr Reddy and RPI member S Rajendran criticised the Government for not taking the Opposition into confidence while convening the session in haste.

Mr Madhuswamy took exception to the Deputy Commissioner taking the initiative to convene the session, stating that it was the prerogative of the Legislature Secretariat and the Speaker's office to deal with the members of the Assembly.

Defending the State Government's decision, Home Minister M P Prakash said the decision of holding the special session was taken by the State Government and the same was communicated to the Governor and the Presiding Officers of the Legislature. He lauded the office of the Speaker for taking all measures to convene the session and said the district administration was only lending its cooperation to ensure that the session was a success.

UNI