Karnataka: 18 BJP MLAs Suspended After Uproar

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

18 BJP MLAs suspended for six months in Karnataka Assembly.
Action taken after uproar over honey-trap scandal and Muslim quota bill.
MLAs stormed the Speaker’s dais, tore and threw documents.
Suspended MLAs barred from entering Assembly premises.
BJP calls the decision unconstitutional, vows legal challenge.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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18 Protesting BJP MLAs Suspended, Carried Out of Karnataka Assembly by Marshals

The Karnataka Speaker suspended 18 BJP MLAs for six months after they disrupted proceedings over a honey-trap scandal and a bill that gives 4 per cent quota to Muslims in public contracts. The Karnataka Assembly witnessed uproar.

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Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader, on Friday suspended 18 BJP MLAs for six months effective immediately for indiscipline. This action follows chaos in the assembly.

Scene of the Uproar

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The action was taken in response to the members’ alleged obstruction of Assembly proceedings earlier in the day, when they disregarded the Speaker’s orders and conducted themselves in an undisciplined and disrespectful manner. BJP MLAs were suspended because of this.

The suspended MLAs were seen climbing the Speaker’s dais, hurling papers at the Speaker, and protesting at the Well of the House. The MLAs were carried out of the assembly by the marshals. There was chaos in Karnataka.

Names of Suspended MLAs

The suspended legislators include Opposition Chief Whip Doddanagouda H Patil, Ashwath Narayan CN, SR Vishwanath, BA Basavaraj, MR Patil, Channabasappa (Channi), B Suresh Gowda, Umanath A Kotyan, Sharanu Salagar, Shailendra Beldale, CK Ramamurthy, Yashpal A Suvarna, BP Harish, Bharath Shetty Y, Munirathna, Basavaraj Mattimood, Dheeraj Muniraju, and Chandru Lamani. These MLAs faced suspension.

Rules of Suspension

As per the suspension order, these members will be barred from entering the Assembly hall, lobby, and galleries. They will also be prohibited from participating in meetings of any standing committees and from having any subject or matter listed in the Assembly agenda under their names. Any directives issued by them during the suspension period will not be accepted, and they will not be allowed to vote in committee elections. They will not receive any daily allowances during this period, either. The suspension order has its rules.

Honey-Trap Scandal and Muslim Quota Bill

Throughout the day, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly was engulfed in turmoil due to two major issues: the honey-trap scandal and the alleged approval of a contentious bill that provides a four per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts. These issues caused turmoil in Karnataka.

Honey-Trap Controversy

The honey-trapping controversy began when Cooperative Minister KN Rajanna alleged that up to 48 politicians, including central figures, were victims of an elaborate honey-trap scheme. This is a serious scandal.

BJP’s Protest

In response, BJP leaders stormed the well of the House, brandishing CDs that implied evidence of blackmail and coercion. The Opposition leaders demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assuring them that the government would not shield anyone involved and that a high-level probe would be initiated upon formal complaint. The BJP demanded investigation of the matter.

Uproar Over the Bill

Amid this uproar, the Assembly passed a finance bill. However, BJP MLAs, mistakenly believing it to be the bill granting the four per cent reservation, tore and flung copies of the bill, further disrupting proceedings. The Karnataka Assembly witnessed an uproar.

Muslim Quota Bill

The proposed amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act reserves four per cent of civil works contracts up to Rs 2 crore and goods/services contracts up to Rs 1 crore for individuals belonging to Category 2B (Muslims). The BJP has criticised this move, labeling it unconstitutional and vowing a legal challenge. The BJP opposed the bill.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember