K'taka Speaker rejects Cong's adjournment motion notice

Belgaum, Sep 27 (UNI) Karnataka Assembly Speaker Krishna today rejected the Congress-sponsored adjournment motion, seeking to discuss the Rs 800 crore forest land scam, unearthed by a private TV channel, holding that the notice was not sent within the stipulated time.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh gave notice for the adjournment motion, seeking discussion on the issue by setting aside all other businesses.

He said the matter was a serious one as it revealed that a senior IPS officer had demanded bribe for the transfer of land belonging to the forest department and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, on moral grounds.

Congress members Mallikarjuna Kharge, R V Deshapande and D K Shivakumar also vociferously argued with the Chair to take up the matter for discussion.

The House plunged into chaos when JD(S) member M P Venkatesh displayed a photograph, in which Mr Singh and Mr Kharge were seen sitting with controversial police officer Sangram Singh, an accused in the Telgi scam, with bundles of currency beside them.

Order was restored only after the Legislator tendered an apology for displaying the photo.

Home Minister M P Prakash said the adjournment motion was sought to be moved by the Opposition on a frivolous issue and appealed to the Chair to reject it.

After hearing the contentions of both sides, Speaker Krishna ruled that the adjournment motion notice was not served well within the specified time and hence he was rejecting it.

Meanwhile, Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha Legislator Vatal Nagaraj, JD(U) leader Madhuswamy, CPI(M)'s G V Srirama Reddy and RPI Legislator S Rajendran staged a walk-out in the House in protest against not allowing discussions on issues pertaining to Northern Karnataka.

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