The concluding day of the ten-day joint session of the Karnataka legislature descended into unprecedented chaos, characterized by uncivil conduct and the use of unparliamentary language from both ruling and opposition benches. The session, held in Bengaluru, witnessed dramatic confrontations that led to the suspension of a prominent BJP member.
Assembly Descends into Verbal Warfare
In the legislative assembly, Congress MLA Shivalinge Gowda ignited controversy with his inflammatory remarks directed at BJP legislators. As Speaker UT Khader permitted ruling party members to debate a resolution condemning the central government's repeal of MGNREGA, Gowda stood to speak and faced immediate attacks from BJP members.
Losing his composure amid the heated exchange, Gowda made the shocking comparison that BJP MLAs were "behaving like monkeys and dogs." This statement triggered immediate uproar, with BJP members demanding an apology for what they termed abusive and unparliamentary language.
Escalating Personal Allegations
The confrontation intensified when Gowda specifically targeted BJP MLA Sharanu Salagar, questioning his moral integrity and making allegations of financial impropriety involving Salagar's wife, who serves as a tahsildar. These personal accusations further fueled the legislative chaos.
BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar countered by labeling Gowda a "habitual offender," claiming the Congress legislator had previously used unparliamentary words against the BJP that were subsequently expunged from official records. Kumar issued a veiled warning about future House proceedings, stating: "Let's see how you conduct the House proceedings during the budget session if words weren't expunged."
Despite mounting pressure, Gowda refused to apologize for his remarks, attributing them to anger provoked by the situation. Amid the continuing din and disorder, the Congress party managed to secure passage of their resolution against the MGNREGA repeal.
Council Witnesses Suspension Drama
Parallel turmoil unfolded in the legislative council, where ruling party members demanded the suspension of BJP member CT Ravi for allegedly using what they described as 'Pakistani tongue' words against Congress MLC Nasir Ahmed during Tuesday's proceedings.
Government chief whip in the Upper House, Saleem Ahmed, highlighted that Ravi had engaged in similar conduct on previous occasions. BJP members attempted to block the suspension by citing procedural rules that prohibit suspending an absent member, but law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil clarified that the rules permit suspension if the absentee fails to return within a specified deadline.
Chairman Takes Decisive Action
Council chairman Basavaraj Horatti established an 8 PM deadline for Ravi's return to the House. When the BJP legislator failed to meet this deadline, Horatti took the decisive step of suspending him for the remainder of the day's session. The chairman further instructed marshals to prevent Ravi from entering the legislative chamber.
Background Context of Legislative Tensions
The chaotic final day capped off a session already marked by significant political tensions. Opposition MLAs had maintained a day-and-night dharna demanding the resignation of excise minister RB Thimmapur in connection with an alleged Rs 6,000-crore scam. This prolonged protest created an atmosphere of heightened confrontation that spilled over into the legislative debates.
The events highlight the deteriorating standards of parliamentary discourse in Karnataka's political arena, with both major parties engaging in behavior that critics argue undermines democratic institutions and sets a concerning precedent for future legislative sessions.
