Agitating Congress members paralyse K'taka Council

Bangalore, Feb 7 (UNI) The Karnataka Legislative Council remained paralysed for the sixth consecutive day today as the main Opposition Congress was unrelenting in its opposition to the appointment of JD(S) member N Thipanna as the Council Officiating Chairman.

As soon as the House resumed, the Congress members raised slogans and registered their protest against the appointment, terming it unconstitutional. The Congress members, who were on their legs, did not allow the Chair to take up question hour, and forced a 30-minute adjournment.

When the House re-assembled, uproarious scenes were witnessed as the Congress members continued with their protest, while the ruling JD(S) and BJP members insisted that the Chair take up the issue of final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal for immediate discussion. After making a vain bid to bring order in the House, Mr Thipanna adjourned the House for tomorrow.

Earlier, speaking to newspersons, Leader of the Opposition H K Patil squarely blamed the Government for the deadlock and announced that all the agitating Congress members have decided to refuse their daily sitting allowance, as a mark of protest.

UNI