Bengaluru: Though the govt has said that it intends to focus on issues dogging North Karnataka at the winter session of legislature beginning Monday in Belagavi, the session is likely to witness an acrimonious showdown between governing Congress and principal opposition BJP over issues such as the waqf land row and deaths of lactating mothers a govt hospital in Ballari besides others.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays of the two-week session have been reserved to debate these issues, a decision that indicates a sense of urgency to prioritise discussions on North Karnataka since the session has already been cut short by a day on account of the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana to be held in Mandya from Dec 20.
Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, BJP MLA representing Bijapur City, has threatened a stir if issues such as the Upper Krishna project are not allowed. The Business Advisory Committee on Monday will decide on time slots for each subject.
"The demand to debate issues pertaining to North Karnataka is just. We plan to provide enough time and have told members to come prepared to discuss development of Kittur Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka," said Basavaraj Horatti, chairman of the legislative council.
However, the fear is that controversial issues like the muddle over waqf properties and a crisis in the healthcare sector, including shortages of drugs and hike in user charges at govt hospitals besides deaths of lactating women, could dominate. Both Congress and BJP have armed themselves with points to prove.
Congress is likely to argue that the previous BJP govt had issued far more waqf notices and the ongoing process is only a continuation of the policy, while BJP is likely to try to make it an issue of religion since some temples too received notices.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah last week held a closed-door meeting to find means to defend his govt. The governing party may raise the Covid-19 procurement scam to counter BJP on the hospital crisis.
"It is good if BJP raises these issues since it would give us an opportunity to expose them," said Ashok Pattan, Congress chief whip in the assembly. Congress Legislature Party will meet on Tuesday to fine tune the party's floor strategy.
BJP appears to be looking forward to the session with renewed vigour, especially with dissidence led by Yatnal and internal squabbling over leadership resolved. The party will move adjournment motions over waqf and health issues. The muddle over BPL cards, the Muda case, misappropriation of ST development corporation funds and alleged corruption in the excise department are among other issues it will look to raise. BJP Legislature Party meeting will be held on Monday where plans will be firmed up.
"We will not forego any opportunity to corner the govt, but it is doubtful of the govt will allow debates on these issues," said Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, leader of the opposition in the council.