JOIN USThe Opposition BJP adopted an aggressive approach over the issue of Kashappanavar on Friday, as the government did not respond to its demand to arrest the MLA.
In the Assembly, the BJP members disrupted the proceedings by insisting that the government should furnish its reply on the Kashappanavar incident, before any other official business is taken up.
As soon as the House met, Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar demanded that Home Minister K J George must make a statement on the issue.
“It is a grave issue. Where has Kashappanavar gone? If he is innocent, why is he hiding from the police. Why is he not attending the Assembly session?” Shettar asked.
George stuck to his decision of replying after completion of Question Hour.
He said he was ready with a reply on the issue. While the BJP members shouted slogans against the government and Congress MLAs, the treasury benchers pressed for completion of Question Hour.
Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa adjourned the House for some time, but when it reassembled, the deadlock continued.
The Speaker tried to go ahead with Question Hour, but nothing could be heard in the din. The House was later adjourned.
Earlier, there was heated exchange of words between Shettar and Siddaramaiah. Shettar alleged that the Congress MLA was being protected.
He pointed out that Congress MLA Byrathi Basavaraj had slapped a traffic constable. “Your legislators are bringing disrespect to all the elected representatives,” he said.
He also recalled that Siddaramaiah had once tried to break open the Assembly door to get inside. The chief minister hit back, by asking what action the BJP had taken against Halappa over rape charges and against those who watched blue film in the Assembly.
In the Council, Leader of the Opposition K S Eshwarappa tore the written copy of the reply into pieces and accused the government of protecting a rowdy MLA.
“Don’t you (the government) have shame? An MLA has violated law and assaulted policemen. But, the government is shying away from taking action, just because he belongs to the Congress,” he said.
Eshwarappa’s remark triggered an uproar in the House as ruling party members took objection to it.
Heated arguments ensued between the members of the ruling and the opposition parties over the issue. Efforts of Chairman D H Shankaramurthy to pacify the members went in vain.
Later speaking to reporters, Eshwarappa demanded that both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister K J George should tender an apology to the people of the State for the unruly behaviour of the MLA and the inability of the government to take action.
“The incident has made one thing clear, that ruling party MLAs and goondas can get away doing anything in the State. Law and order has completely collapsed. I feel ashamed to call him (George) our Home minister,” he stated.