Gowda terms Legislature Committee report ''discriminatory''

Bangalore, Jan 13 (PTI) Former prime minister H D DeveGowda today termed as "discriminatory and undemocratic" theLegislature Committee report that recommended suspension of 15Congress and JDS MLAs holding them responsible for the ruckusin the state assembly on October 11 last year.

"Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa hatched a conspiracyto suspend the 15 MLAs apprehending an unfavourable verdict inthe cases filed by 16 MLAs (11 rebel BJP and fiveIndependents) challenging their disqualification, he toldreporters here.

Gowda questioned why the Appacchu Ranjan committee hadnot taken note of "acts of provocation indulged in byYeddyurappa and ruling members" during the trust vote of theBJP government.

The panel, set up by Speaker K G Bopaiah, recommendedsuspension of eight MLAs from membership for a year and sevenMLAs for six months for varying reasons -- from indulging inunruly behaviour by disobeying all House rules and procedures,showing disrespect to the Speaker, to curbing the rights ofother members, among others.