Speaker sorry for issuing marching orders to MLC Ugrappa

Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa on Monday tendered an apology to Congress MLC V S Ugrappa for having directed him to go out of the officers' gallery.

Members of the opposition parties and the ruling Congress were involved in a heated argument over Ugrappa's presence in the officers' gallery.

The MLC was seen giving advise to the ruling party members and the officials when the House was debating the removal of the Lokayukta.

When the opposition members took exception to the MLC's presence, Kagodu immediately directed the Legislative Council member to go away.

 But Ugrappa did not obey the direction. Then the BJP members trooped to the well of the House and staged a dharna, charging him with insulting the chair. 

The Congress members, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, defended Ugrappa saying that he has obtained the permission to watch the proceedings from the officers' gallery. Besides, a board has been put up at the entrance of the officers' gallery stating ‘MLCs and MPs gallery,’ Siddaramaiah said.

House briefly adjourned
A visibly upset Speaker took the Assembly Secretary (in-charge) S Y Kulageri to task in the House. Kagodu adjourned the House briefly and held a meeting with the officers on the issue.

When the House resumed, he admitted that it was a mistake on his part and that he would tender an apology to Ugrappa.

He urged the BJP members to withdraw their dharna and allow Ugrappa to sit in the gallery for a day. When the Opposition refused, the House was again adjourned.

Later he held a meeting with leaders of all the parties. The Speaker said it was decided to remove the board and allow MPs and MLCs to watch the proceedings from the front row of gallery (press gallery) on the left-hand side of the Speaker's chair.