Independent MLAs stage black flag demo against Speaker Bopaiah

Four independent MLAs in Karnataka Assembly continued their protest against Speaker K G Bopaiah for the fourth straight day on Thursday demanding his resignation in the wake of the Supreme Court setting aside his order disqualifying them in 2010 ahead of a trust vote.

As soon as the assembly commenced its sitting for the day, MLAs P M Narendraswamy, Goolihatti Shekar, Venkataramanappa and Shivaraj Tangadai, sporting black bands, trooped into the Well of the House and raised slogans against Bopaiah.

Bopaiah, who kept himself away from the House yesterday, returned today and was greeted with slogans by the MLAs: "You have no right to sit in this chair and conduct proceedings. You should quit,"

An angry Bopaiah threatened to expel them from the House if they continued the protest and was seen requesting the Treasury benches to move a resolution naming the protesters.

"You have thrown the rules of the House to winds and creating trouble", Bopaiah said voicing his displeasure over the continuing protests.

Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah, in a quick response, remarked "without rules you had disqualified them. They have every right to protest the decision. They have suffered humiliation".

"Let them give a notice under rules, I will allow them to speak", was the reply by Bopaiah, who refused permission to the MLAs to air their views following which they walked out.

Meanwhile, the Congress which had staged a dharna in the House demanding the Speaker's resignation, called it off today.