Audio clip row: Speaker 'advises' for SIT probe
Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar on Monday “advised” the State government to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the controversial audio clip that makes bribery charges against him. The BJP, however, opposed a government probe.
"We should first clear your name from this row. So, we're okay for SIT, ACB or CID probe. For other things alleged in the audio clip, let's debate that separately," BJP MLA JC Madhuswamy insists.
BJP opposes government probe into audio clip row, want Speaker to form his own inquiry committee.
"A day after the incident, the CM himself stated he got it done (the recording). So, we won't have faith in an inquiry conducted by the government," says BJP's Govind Karjol.
Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy: "More than addressing their problems, the political discourse has been focussed on the longevity of the government. We need to put an end to this. We ask your permission to form a SIT for a comprehensive inquiry."
BJP MLA JC Madhusway: "Since the government is involved, we don't have faith in a probe conducted by SIT. We want the Speaker to name his mode of inquiry so that it will be objective and fair."
CM says he's ready to allow the Speaker to name his own inquiry committee.
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar and other members of the House request Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar not to be "emotional" and step down over the audio clip row.
Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar advises the government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the controversial audio clip. "I'm not directing you. I'm advising the CM to form a SIT and ascertain the truth on who said it, why it was said and whether it really happened," Kumar said on the floor of the House, after a detailed discussion on the audio clip in which it is alleged that the Speaker was bribed to accept resignations of disgruntled MLAs. Kumar has asked the government to submit a report in 15 days and "give me respite."
Serious debate underway on the controversial audio clip
RDPR Minister Krishna Byre Gowda: "My privilege has been breached. It's a contempt of this House."
BJP MLA JC Madhuswamy: "I appeal to the Speaker. Let's forget this and move on. We don't have to discuss in this House whatever people talk about us on the streets."
"My apprehension is that someone who is a member of this House is in the audio clip casting aspersions on me," says an emotional Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar, also remembering his late mother.
"I request the House. You chose me unanimously. Never have I acted in a manner unbecoming of me," says Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar
"Speaker is the custodian of the House. People are watching us. I've spent two nights in distress. I left home and went to Raichur to distract myself from the pain," saysSpeaker KR Ramesh Kumar
Assembly session begins. Speaker addressing the session: “Our every move and action should be responsible. But unfortunately, the clip refers specifically to my name.”
Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah will move for disqualification of four MLAs mostly during lunch break of the Assembly session. Siddaramaiah met Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and has sought time.
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Karnataka government proposes to organise “Global Capital Investment Conference” in January 2020.
The government also plans to developindustrial areas at Arasikere in Hassan district, Nagamangala in Mandya district, Chittapur in Kalaburagi district, Mulavad in Vijayapura district, Kanagala in Belagavi district and Madhugiri in Tumakuru district through Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board.
Common Entrance Test (CET) to go online, Karnataka CM announces in the budget.
BJP protest moved to Gandhi statue
State government allocates Rs 1.5 lakh crore to Brand Bengaluru
"It's a challenge to provide infrastructure in Bengaluru. To improve Brand Bengaluru, several projects are being taken up, including peripheral ring road, Namma Metro Phase-2, suburban rail projects and so on," says HDK.
BJP legislators stage protest in front of Kangal Hanumanthappa statue
"Bengaluru has become a hub for industrial investment. We want to shift this to other cities to provide opportunities for the youth," says HDK.
Farm loan waiver has been carried out successfully. Rs 9,291.81 crore spent on irrigation projects.
BJP members walk out the House
BJP members chant "You are lying..." and "We want justice" as the chief minister continues his budget speech.
Opposition BJP stages walkout as Budget copies were not given. Leader of the Opposition BS Yeddyurappa leads the walkout.
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Cong to seek disqualification of 4 ‘rebel’ MLAs
The Congress has decided to seek the disqualification of four disgruntled legislators, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah announced here on Friday.
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Letters sent by Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi to CLP leader Siddaramaiah
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy begins budget speech in the state assembly
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy arrives Vidhana Soudha
H D Kumaraswamy's letter to Speaker
The chief minister asked Speaker to take necessary actions on the latest audio, released today morning.
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Audio of conversation between Yeddyurappa and Sharanagouda Kandakur
B S Yeddyurappa addresses news conference
“Cabinet ministers have said 4 BJP MLAs are in touch with them. They should explain this. The audio tape allegation is far from the truth.
“Didn’t you (Kumaraswamy) call BJP Aland MLA Subash Guttedar?”
“20 Congress MLAs haven’t accepted HDK as the CM.”
“I’ve not met anyone. This is an attempt to cover up the disgruntlement in the coalition,” says Yeddyurappa.
Congress Legislative Party meet underway
Eight Congress MLAs have not come to the CLP meet yet.
Ramesh Jarkiholi, Mahesh Kumthalli, Umesh Jadhav, B Nagendra, BC Patil and JN Ganesh skip the meeting.
R Roshan Baig and Laxmi Hebbalkar have not come, too, but they’re not under the party’s radar.
BJP releases a counter audio of chief minister H D Kumaraswamy
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Watch: What to expect from Karnataka budget?
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy addresses the presser
Flanked by DyCM G Parameshwara and his cabinet colleague Sa Ra Mahesh, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy addresses the presser.
Says, it is inevitable for him to convene the PC ahead of his budget amid the prevailing political chaos.
I refrained from giving any media statements the last two days owing to the political developments.
I have called you hurriedly for this PC.
Parliament is on in New Delhi, while the budget session is on in Karnataka.
I still remember how PM Narendra Modi bowed his head on the steps of the Parliament. I have observed his statements on the floor of the House yesterday. He spoke about corruption and slammed the Congress.
The PM has also attacked my crop loan waiver scheme.
Modi, who termed the Parliament the temple of democracy, misled it yesterday by uttering lies. He is systematically demolishing democracy.
I request the opposition leaders to raise against Modi. They must Parliament and expose the real truth of the PM. I say this in a lot of pain.
Modi is projecting himself as the saviour of his country.
The state BJP disallowed the Governor from addressing the joint session. They say, 'Go back CM'.
If the BJP thinks that my government lacks majority, then why hasn't it moved the no confidence motion? Why has it been trooping into the well of the House, disrupting the proceedings, instead?
Presenting a budget is not child's play. But the BJP leaders are creating trouble.
The Lok Sabha elections will be announced soon.
The government activities have to begin from April. What message is BS Yeddyurappa trying to give to the people of the state?
CM H D Kumaraswamy leaves his father H D Deve Gowda's Padmanabhanagar residence towards his home office, Krishna, where he will address a hurriedly convened press conference.
Former Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah issues another 3 line whip directing the 4 dissenting Congress MLAs to attend tomorrow's CLP meeting, warns of action as per the anti-defection law.
Assembly adjourned till Friday amidst chants against HDK by BJP
The BJP's slogans like, 'Go backCM, Go back CM', 'Step Down CM, Step Down CM', 'Down down government without majority' and 'No unity, no majority' and continued protest have forced the Speaker to adjourn proceedings till 12.30 p.m Friday when Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's government will table the 2019-2020 budget. PTI
Legislative Council adjourned again till 3 pm after BJP members continued their protest.
Council Chairperson Pratap Chandra Shetty questioned Leader of the Opposition Kota Srinivasa Poojary why the BJP was even protesting. “Because the government has no majority,” Poojary said.
“If so, then there’s a process for that. You can’t disrupt proceedings like this,” Sherry said, before adjourning the House.
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George challenges BJP to move no-confidence motion
Industries Minister K J George challenged the BJP to move the no-confidence motion if it was confident that the government lacked the majority. "Instead of moving the no-confidence motion, the BJP has been repeatedly charging the government does not have the majority. Let them move the no-confidence motion - we will show them. The Congress MLAs are all together. The Parliament elections are nearing and the BJP knows that it will lose. Hence it is trying to bring disrepute to the government by disallowing it to function. But we are strong. The government will complete its five-year term," he added.
Sriramulu demands HDK's resignation
Stating that the BJP will continue with its protest against the coalition government inside the House tomorrow and day after, Molakalmuru MLA B Sriramulu demanded Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to immediately tender his resignation.
Sriramulu, who was seen leading the protest in the House, said that as many as 15 ruling party MLAs had absented themselves from the House. "This means that the government lacks the majority. The government has no right to continue. The Chief Minister should resign immediately. The BJP will soon meet the Governor - we are taking our protest in stages," he added.
11 Cong-JD(S) MLAs absent
Nearly 10 ruling party MLAs have absented themselves from the joint session. As expected, four disgruntled MLAs - Ramesh Jarkiholi (Gokak), Umesh G Jadhav (Chincholi), B Nagendra (Bellary), Mahesh Kumathalli (Athani) - who have all been issued show cause notices by the Congress did not attend the session.
Two Independent MLAs H Nagesh (Mulbagal) and R Shankar (Ranebennur), who have withdrawn the support to the government, too were not to be seen.
In addition to these, other disgruntled Congress MLAs like Basanagouda Daddal (Raichur Rural), B C Patil (Hirekerur), Paratapgouda Patil (Maski), Ramalinga Reddy (BTM Layout), his daughter Sowmya Reddy (Jayanagar) too have absented themselves from the session.
Kampli MLA J N Ganesh, who is facing attempt to murder charges for attacking Vijayanagar MLA Anand Singh, too gave the session a skip. The police are yet to arrest the MLA.
Interestingly, JD(S) MLA Narayan Gowda (K R Pet) was among the absentee MLAs.
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