Karnataka Legislature Session Descends into Chaos as Congress Forces Through MGNREGA Resolution
The joint session of the Karnataka legislature concluded in complete disorder on Wednesday, marked by intense political confrontation and procedural disruptions. Despite the chaotic atmosphere, the governing Congress party managed to push through a significant resolution condemning the central government's proposed move to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Opposition Walkout Over Corruption Allegations
The legislative proceedings were overshadowed by continued demands from opposition parties for the resignation of Excise Minister RB Timmapur. Both BJP and JD(S) members staged a dramatic walkout in protest, alleging corruption amounting to a staggering Rs 6,000 crore within the excise department. The opposition had initiated their protest on Tuesday with a night-long dharna inside the assembly premises, which continued when the House reconvened on Wednesday.
Opposition members created a ruckus in the well of the House, raising slogans and displaying placards demanding Timmapur's immediate resignation. They accused the minister of overseeing what they described as "the largest corruption scandal in Karnataka's history." Speaker UT Khader repeatedly appealed to protesting members to withdraw their dharna and participate in the discussion on the MGNREGA resolution, but his pleas fell on deaf ears as opposition members refused to cooperate.
Six-Hour Debate Overshadowed by Disruptions
The assembly engaged in a marathon debate on the MGNREGA resolution that lasted six hours and fifty-one minutes, though much of the substantive discussion was lost amid constant sloganeering and disruptions. Opposition leader R Ashoka of BJP reiterated serious allegations that corruption worth Rs 6,000 crore had occurred under Timmapur's watch, claiming that despite submitting documentary evidence, the minister had refused to step down.
Ashoka raised pointed questions about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's role in the matter, demanding that Timmapur immediately resign and face a proper inquiry. "The minister could return to the cabinet if found innocent through due process," Ashoka stated, citing precedents where politicians like KJ George of Congress and KS Eshwarappa of BJP had resigned following corruption allegations and were later reinstated after receiving clean chits from investigations.
The BJP leader accused the Congress government of applying "moral double standards" and made unsubstantiated claims that Karnataka had become a "Reserve Bank" for the Congress high command, though he provided no evidence to support these allegations.
Upper House Expresses Concern Over Governance Neglect
In the Legislative Council, the situation was similarly contentious though with different focal points. While debate continued over BJP member CT Ravi's controversial "Pakistan" remark, senior BJP member YM Satish expressed grave concern that the House was losing sight of crucial governance issues.
The 57-year-old legislator intervened in the debate to highlight that ten full days of the legislative session had been wasted without any substantive discussion on development or public welfare matters. "This House is not meant for personal fights, but to discuss what people of the state want," Satish emphasized, noting that apart from raising the issue of persons with disabilities being excluded from the governor's address, he had remained largely silent during the session.
Satish accused the Congress government of deliberately delaying the discussion on the MGNREGA resolution, alleging that it would be tabled at 5 PM and passed within just ten minutes without proper debate. He urged the government to extend the session by two additional days if necessary to allow for comprehensive discussion on important public issues.
Taxpayer Money and Legislative Responsibility
Echoing these concerns about legislative priorities, Deputy Chairman MK Pranesh reminded members that the House functioned on taxpayer money and that excluding crucial public issues from discussion was entirely inappropriate. His remarks underscored growing frustration about the legislature's failure to address substantive governance matters amid political grandstanding.
The chaotic conclusion to the legislative session highlights deepening political divisions in Karnataka and raises serious questions about the legislature's ability to function effectively when confronted with major allegations of corruption and contentious policy disagreements between state and central governments.
