Council issue echoes in Assembly; Cong stages dharna

Bangalore, Feb 13 (UNI) The Opposition Congress today staged a dharna in the well of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, questioning the locus standi of Officiating Legislative Council Chairman N Thippanna in suspending the Congress members en masse for disturbing the House proceedings.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly N Dharam Singh demanded immediate election to the post of Council Chairman. There was a Constitutional crisis in the Upper House and Mr Thippanna had no legal right to initiate action against the members of the Congress which enjoyed a majority in the House.

His action amounted to ''murder of democracy'', he alleged.

Law Minister M P Prakash defended the appointment of Mr Thipanna and said the Government had not violated the rules and procedures of the House. Mr Thippanna was well within his right to suspend the members, he defended Dissatisfied with the reply, the Congress members staged a dharna in the well of the House, following which Speaker Krishna adjourned the House for a brief period.

When the House re-assembled, Mr Prakash sought a day's time to take action in this regard. As the Congress members continued with their dharna, demanding immediate election, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

UNI