Karnataka Assembly Session: A total of 10 BJP MLAs on Wednesday have been suspended for the rest of the session for throwing paper at the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Rudrappa Manappa Lamani while he was on his chair, during the Assembly session.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: BJP MLAs create ruckus in the Karnataka Assembly; shouting against State Government's decision to depute IAS officers for an opposition party meeting held in Bengaluru
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However, Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal falls unconscious following the ruckus outside the Karnataka Assembly. He has been taken to the hospital.
#WATCH | Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal falls unconscious following the ruckus outside the Karnataka Assembly. He has been taken to the hospital.
10 BJP MLAs have been suspended for this session for throwing paper at the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly and chair… pic.twitter.com/7sV4iv9VQo
— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023
BJP and JDS have given notice to move a no-confidence motion against the speaker after 10 of the BJP MLAs were suspended for the session.
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Session 2023 | BJP and JDS have given notice to move a no-confidence motion against the speaker after 10 of the BJP MLAs were suspended for the session.
— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023
Speaking over the issue, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said, “It is unfortunate. We have laid out some guidelines, some rules in the house. House rules are there. Nobody prevents them to go and protest. But there is some basic discipline that they have to follow, attacking the chair is something we don’t see in the Karnataka legislature. And this has happened. It is unfortunate and we also appeal to the speaker to take some action. Otherwise, if it is let go, I don’t think our houses will run properly.”
However, amidst the ongoing protest by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the Congress government, alleging the “misuse” of IAS officers for meetings with opposition leaders, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly witnessed turmoil.
Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani was presiding over the session in the absence of Speaker UT Khader, who had previously announced that there would be no lunch break and that the discussions on the Budget and demands would continue.
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While the Speaker suggested that members who desired lunch could avail themselves of it and return for the discussions, opposition members from the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) protested from the well of the House.
They accused the government of deploying 30 IAS officers to assist Congress alliance leaders for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In a display of discontent, BJP members threw papers at the Chair and Deputy Speaker Lamani.
In response to the Speaker’s decision and the cancellation of the lunch break, BJP members huddled together and then threw papers at the Chair, demanding clarification on the rule under which the lunch break was canceled.
The situation escalated as more papers were thrown at the Deputy Speaker, causing chaos in the assembly. Marshals were deployed to protect Deputy Speaker Lamani from the commotion.
As a result, the MLAs involved in the disruption were suspended for the remainder of the session. Congress MLAs condemned the unruly behavior of the BJP leaders, further intensifying the tense atmosphere within the House. Following the suspension, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the proceedings for the rest of the day.
Earlier in the day, despite protests from BJP and JD(S) members, five bills were passed without any discussion.
After the adjournment, BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, expressed their consideration of initiating a no-confidence motion against the Speaker.