Bengaluru, March 21: Karnataka Speaker UT Khader today suspended 18 BJP MLAs for six months for disrupting proceedings in the Assembly. The suspension came after intense chaos unfolded in the House, with visuals showing House marshals forcibly removing BJP MLAs and carrying them out of the chamber.
The ruckus began after Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil tabled a Bill granting four percent reservation to minorities, including Muslims, in contract work. As Patil presented the Bill, BJP MLAs stormed the well of the House, tore and threw papers at the Speaker’s chair, and created a major disturbance. Despite the protest, the Bill was passed by the Karnataka Assembly.
Earlier in the day, the Assembly was thrown into turmoil after Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna accused certain individuals of attempting a honey trap. BJP legislators reacted loudly, chanting slogans of "down, down," and some even waved CDs, claiming they had proof of the alleged honey trap. The BJP members stormed into the well of the House while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was addressing the Assembly.
R Ashoka, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition, commented, "This is not just a party issue, but a huge conspiracy against legislators who are working for the people. Some are involved in such activities with a hidden agenda."
In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended his government, stating that there was no intention of protecting anyone in the honey trap case. The BJP leaders had demanded a judicial inquiry, but CM Siddaramaiah pointed out that Home Minister G Parmeshwara had already addressed the allegations and initiated an inquiry into the matter.
