18 BJP MLAs suspended amid ruckus over honey-trap row in Karnataka Assembly

The 18 suspended BJP MLAs include former deputy chief minister C N Ashwath Narayan.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader suspended 18 BJP lawmakers for six months citing “indiscipline” on Friday amid ruckus in the House over the sensational honey-trap claim by a senior Congress minister.

The 18 suspended BJP MLAs, including former deputy chief minister C N Ashwath Narayan, were seen hurling papers torn out of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s 2025-26 Budget and other documents at Khader’s chair during a protest in the Well of the House. The suspended MLAs also climbed the Speaker’s dais.

The suspended BJP MLAs are: Doddanagouda H Patil, CN Ashwaty Narayan, SR Vishwanath, BA Basavaraj, MR Patil, Channabasappa (Channi), B Suresh Gowda, Umanath Kotyan, Sharanu Salagar, Shailendra Beldale, CK Ramamurthy, Yashpal Suvarna, Harish BP, Bharath Shetty, Munirathna, Basavaraj Mattimud, Dheeraj Muniraj and Chandru Lamani.

On Friday morning, when the Assembly session began, the Opposition BJP started demanding a judicial inquiry on Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna’s claim that attempts were made to honey-trap him.

The BJP demanded a reply from Siddaramaiah on the honey-trap allegations. “The CM himself must answer first. A senior minister has said (honey-trap) attempts were made on him. Doesn’t this government have morality?” BJP’s V Sunil Kumar said.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said the government should order an inquiry under a sitting High Court judge.

“If a minister has no protection in this government, then what about others? The minister himself has said that honey-trap victims include central leaders as well as judges. This has become a big business. If someone is destroying people for the sake of power, then is there any morality left for this House?” Ashoka charged.

Kumar said Siddaramaiah should sack any minister who may be involved in honey-trapping. “If someone from our side (BJP) is involved, suspend them (from this House),” he said.

Siddaramaiah reiterated that his government would conduct a high-level investigation into honey-trapping. “There’s no question of protecting or not protecting anyone. Be it Congress, BJP, JD(S) or Independent MLAs...it’s the government’s responsibility to provide protection...to all citizens,” the CM said.

“We won’t protect anyone...whoever it may be...from our party or another. Whoever has done it is wrong. We will conduct an investigation 100%,” Siddaramaiah said. He even noted that Rajanna did not name anybody.

Unsatisfied, the BJP members held on to their demand for a judicial inquiry. Home Minister G Parameshwara even said that the government would consider this suggestion. “Rajanna has not yet lodged a complaint,” he added.

Ashoka sought clarity on what kind of investigation would be conducted.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah proceeded with his reply to the discussion on the 2025-26 Budget even as BJP members jumped into the well of the House.

Papers flew as BJP MLAs shouted slogans, accusing the government of running a honey-trap racket. The Budget was passed in the din and Khader adjourned the session.

Upon resumption, Khader named the 18 BJP MLAs and said: “I can't tolerate indiscipline. Nobody is bigger than the chair.”

Law Minister HK Patil said “goondagiri behaviour” should not be tolerated and proposed suspension of the 18 BJP MLAs, which Khader approved.