BJP walks out of Council over absence of ministers, officials

The BJP staged a brief walkout at the Legislative Council on the first day of the winter session in protest against the absence of several ministers and officials during a discussion on drought.

Leader of Opposition K S Eshwarappa and other BJP MLCs sought the adjournment of the House, accusing the ministers and officials of staying away from the crucial discussion.

Only three ministers, including Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, were present when BJP member Somanna V Bevinamarad began to speak on the problems being faced by farmers in his home district of Haveri and accused the government of not carrying out drought relief works.

Congress MLC, V S Ugrappa, too, criticised the officials for their absence and urged the Legislative Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy to take action against them. He, however, slammed the BJP for walking out and questioned its commitment to addressing farmers’ problems.