Congress stages walk out on Council Chairman issue

Bangalore, Feb 21 (UNI) The Opposition Congress members today staged a walk out in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in protest against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's remarks on the Council Chairman issue.

Earlier in the day, the Congress members, led by Leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh, withdrew their six-day-old dharna following a message sent by the Governor to the Legislative Secretary, directing to conduct the election immediately.

Mr Kumaraswamy, referring to the issue, chided the Opposition, stating that the message had come as a ''face saver'', leading to the withdrawal of dharna by the Congress in the House. He clarified that the message from the Governor was not for the Government, but was meant for the members of the Upper House. However, action would be initiated to hold the election legally and constitutionally, he assured.

Had the Congress members waited after submitting a memorandum in this regard to the Governor and allowed the Assembly proceedings, it would have increased its dignity, he said.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge said the Governor's message amounted to reprimanding the Government.

Dissatisfied with the Chief Minister's remarks, the Congress members, led by Mr Singh, staged a walk out.

UNI