The ongoing political crisis echoed in the Karnataka Legislative Council for the second day with members of the ruling Congress-JD(S) and Opposition BJP indulging in a verbal dual.
Although the Question Hour was taken up, it ended within a few minutes with not more than three MLCs being allowed to raise questions.
Amidst the pandemonium and poster display by members from both the sides, Deputy Chairperson S.L. Dharme Gowda adjourned the House to Thursday. Soon after the House began in the morning, Opposition members led by Kota Srinivas Poojary staged a dharna in the well.
“When there are no Ministers to reply to our questions, how can you run the House? All the Ministers have resigned. This government has lost its majority. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy should resign immediately,” Mr. Poojary demanded. While the Opposition shouted repeatedly “Chief Minister should resign”, the ruling party members retorted with the slogan “Stop horse trading”. To this, the ruling party members led by House leader Jaimala said all Ministers were present and they represented the government.
‘I am government’
Hitting back, Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar said: “I am the government. We are all part of the government. The government is here,” he said showing the Ministers seated in the House.
“Are you not ashamed? You have locked up our MLAs in Mumbai. Your desire of coming to power by buying our MLAs will never be fulfilled. It should be written in your destiny,” he said.
When the members refused to relent despite repeated attempts by the Deputy Chairman to set the House in order, he adjourned the House.