Sleaze factor plunges legislature to new low

Proceedings of the Karnataka Legislature on Thursday touched a new low with members of the ruling Congress and the BJP discussing nothing but sleaze, using foul language and demanding the suspension of Housing Minister and cine star M H Ambareesh, Congress MLA S S Mallikarjun and BJP MLA Prabhu Chavan.

Chavan was caught watching pictures of Priyanka Gandhi on a cellphone in an inappropriate way on Wednesday. Official business of both the Assembly and the Council went for a toss with the BJP turning the tables on the Congress, which was demanding the suspension of Chavan from the Assembly for his sleazy act. In an unusual move, the ruling party members held a dharna.

The BJP hit back at the Siddaramaiah government, alleging that Ambareesh and Mallikarjun should also be suspended as they too were caught watching ‘something’ on a cell phone on Wednesday afternoon.

Members of both the parties in lower and upper Houses staged dharnas and shouted slogans pressing their respective demands. In the Council, BJP MLC K B Shanappa was heard using an expletive to show his disgust at Chavan’s act.

 The Congress wanted Chavan to be suspended from the House for at least two days, besides tendering an apology. The BJP assumed eye-for-an-eye stand and said it would agree to the demand provided Ambareesh and Mallikarjun are also punished alike, which the ruling party declined. The Congress strongly defended Ambareesh, saying that there was no proof of him having watched any objectionable video. As the stalemate continued, JD(S) MLAs staged a dharna in front of the Assembly demanding that the House should be allowed to function.

They said that they wanted to discuss problems related to north Karnataka and criticised the national parties for disrupting the proceedings.

Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa tried in vain to resolve the issue as both the parties refused to budge. Siddaramaiah told reporters that the BJP is disrupting the House as its leaders are embarrassed over the Chavan incident. Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar charged Siddaramaiah with instigating his party members to protest.

“Chavan was ready to apologise. He wept before the Speaker, regretting his act. But the Congress suddenly changed its stand and became adamant,” he added.