K'taka Assembly adjourned

Bangalore, Jul 29 (UNI) The Karnataka Assembly was adjourned tonight amidst pandemonium and dharna by the Congress members over the alleged remarks made by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj in connection with bomb blasts in city and Ahmedabad last week.

Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who tried to raise the issue after former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy concluded his speech on the discussion on the budget, sought time from the Speaker to make his preliminary submission.

His plea was objected by BJP leader and Power Minister K S Eshwarappa who argued that the issue could not be discussed since Sushma Swaraj was not a member of the House.

He also pleaded with the chair not to allow a discussion on the issue as it would effect a bad precedent and convert the House into a political platform.

Arguments and counter arguments followed between the treasury bench and the Congress members, and the speaker Jagadish Shettar adjourned the house for ten minutes.

When the House reassembled, Mr Kharge made another attempt to raise the issue. Mr Eshwarappa and other BJP members tried to prevent by raising objections. The House witnessed noisy scenes and angry exchanges again.

Meanwhile, the Speaker said he had already given his ruling on the issue that it could not be discussed in the House. He said he had also received a letter from Mr Kharge requesting him to reconsider his ruling.

After quoting certain sections from the rules, Mr Shettar announced that the issue could not be reconsidered as Mr Kharge had raised the issue in the Zero Hour which did not come under any rule.

Mr Shettar also appealed to both the sides to treat this matter as closed and allow the House to go ahead with the debate on the budget.

At this stage, certain remarks made by Mr Eshwarappa against Mr Kharge evoked loud protests and slogan shouting by the Congress members, who trooped into the well of the House demanding apology from the minister.

The Speaker announced that the remarks made by the minister had been deleted and appealed the members to withdraw their dharna and allow discussion to continue.

With his request was not being heeded by the Opposition members, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

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