JOIN USBJP legislator from Hebbal in Bangalore, Jagadish Kumar, was forced to leave the Legislative Assembly on Friday as he refused to take oath as MLA in rahukala (certain time in a day considered inauspicious).
When the Assembly Secretary Omprakash invited him to take oath at around 11.30 am, Kumar said he would like to take oath after noon as rahukala ends at that time. Pro tem Speaker Malikayya V Guttedar said he has fixed the oath-taking ceremony for the new members as the first business of the day so that they can take part in the Speaker election process.
When Kumar refused to oblige, Guttedar curtly said he cannot sit inside the House without taking oath. And, Kumar left the House. Kumar is a close aide of former minister Katta Subramanya Naidu. After the BJP refused the ticket to scam-tainted Naidu, he got Kumar fielded from the Hebbal constituency and ensured his victory.
Senior Congress leader MLA D K Shivakumar, elected from Kankapura, too is yet to take oath as MLA.
In another incident, JD(S) MLA H D Revanna while congratulating Kagodu Thimmappa on his election as the Speaker said he has chances of becoming a minister again as he has assumed office in rahukala.
“You have assumed office in rahukala. Hence, you may become a minister,” he stated, suggesting that Kagodu may not stay in the Speaker’s post for long.