JOIN USIt is a confident ruling BJP, which has completed one year in office vs revitalised Opposition Congress in the legislature.
The Opposition in the Belgaum session mainly harped on the Bellary mining issue. It spent much of its time in attacking the Bellary Reddy brothers. The Reddys were isolated and they had to defend themselves. But the Opposition, mainly the Congress, is going to face a united BJP. There is apparent truce between the mining barons and the CM. Moreover, senior minister K S Eshwarappa, who had questioned the CM's style of functioning, is also 'pacified'. In a way the Opposition has lost an issue to take on the treasury benches.
The rain god has come to the rescue of the ruling party. There is no threat of drought even in the arid areas. The Opposition cannot nail the Government saying that relief measures have been tardy in drought-hit areas.
Yet, the Opposition has certain issues to hammer the Government in the session. Minister V Somanna abusing BBMP Engineer Somaraju, the State Cabinet withdrawing criminal cases against the associates of Reddy brothers, the recent communal clashes in Mysore, Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao issuing a circular stating that the Opposition leaders in the legislature do not enjoy the power to convene a meeting of the government officials, scams related to Bangalore University examinations, delay in release of funds for the budgeted works and many more issues are bound to be raised by the Opposition.
Changes
In both the Houses the Congress has highly vocal floor leaders. Siddaramaiah has replaced Mallikharjun Kharge, who had been the member of the House since 1972. He was in the ruling party for 16 years and in the Opposition benches for 20 years. After Kharge became the Union Minister, Siddaramaiah became the choice of the party high command as the floor leader.
It is to be seen whether Siddaramaiah will be a solo player or his party senior colleagues lend their voice to the issues he raises.
The strength of the Congress has dwindled to 73 from 80. In the Council, the strength is 26. The Congress has identified 20 issues to attack the Government, and also planning to move an adjournment motion against the ruling party on the day one itself.
The JD (S) too has a new floor leader in the Assembly. H D Revanna has replaced his brother H D Kumaraswamy, who is now an MP. The party's strength is just 25, which was 28 a year ago. Revanna has convened the meeting of the legislature party on Thursday morning.
As many as 18 Bills are expected to come up for discussion in the session. There will be obituary references to five former MLAs in the Assembly before the commencement of regular business. The council will adjourn after the obituary references on the opening day.
Bills on anvil
* The Karnataka Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2009
* The Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage (Amendment) Bill, 2009
* The Karnataka Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2009
* The Karnataka Khadi & Village Industries (Amendment) Bill, 2009
* The Karnataka Samskrita Veda Vishwavidyalaya Bill 2009
* The Karnataka Rajya Sangeetha Mattu Pradarshana Kalegala Viswavidyanilaya Bill 2009
Bills likely for reconsideration
* The Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2007
* The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2005