Speaker faces a dilemma

Will have to talk to CM whose rage pushed members overboard

 On Friday, even before the Reddy brothers and their associate Suresh Babu of Kampli set the record for new lows of behaviour in the House, it was the Chief Minister who lost his temper and advanced menacingly towards Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah. The Chief Minister tendered an apology twice for his behaviour and the Congress accepted it too, but the momentary loss of composure by the Chief Minister was the precursor for some of the worst scenes witnessed in the history of the House since its inception.

But it will be a tough task for the ruling BJP to get the Reddy brothers and their associates in the Assembly to apologise for unruly behaviour. The Reddys and their business partner-cum-minister B Sriramulu have been accusing the Congress of provoking them and “insulting” the people of Bellary. The Congress, however is in no mood to accept just an apology. It wants BJP MLAs suspended for the rest of the current session.

Siddaramaiah will convene the Legislature party meeting on Monday to decide the stand to be taken in the floorleaders’ meeting convened by the Speaker before House reassembles.

No Ethics Committee

Unlike the Legislative Council, the Assembly has no Ethics Committee to which the Speaker can refer the issue. The Chief Minister has announced that he will leave it to the Speaker to handle the issue.

The Speaker said he has decided to discipline the members and ensure that such incidents do not recur. He is planning to constitute a House Committee to look into the Friday’s incidents and educate members about rules they should follow in the House. “Something has to be done to maintain discipline and order in the House. Such things should not recur. The Karnataka Legislature has a reputation and prestige in the country. It is the duty of every member to maintain it,” Bopaiah stated.

Sources said Rashtriya Swayamsevaka Sangha (RSS) leaders have expressed displeasure over the Friday’s incident in the House and directed the State leaders to take appropriate steps in this regard. The incident has happened at a time when the BJP is making all efforts to build the image of the party Government in the State.

Suspension, no less: Siddu

Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the Speaker has to suspend all BJP MLAs, including the Reddy brothers, who indulged in the unruly behaviour on Friday inside the House.

“I have convened the Legislature party meeting. If our demand is not fulfiled, we will take an appropriate decision,” Siddaramaiah stated.