Opposition leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy tears Rule Book; Karnataka Legislative Council plunges into chaos

Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Wednesday tore the Rule Book of the Council alleging that the session was not being conducted in order, which lead to
chaos.

The House witnessed repeated disruptions since morning. The act of Narayanaswamy only triggered the members of the ruling party, who created an uproar when the house re-opened after adjournment in the afternoon.

Members of the ruling party demanded apology from Narayanaswamy and also his expulsion for “insulting” the chair.

Intervening to clear the chaos, Chairman of the house Basavaraj Horatti expressed regret and said that the Rule Book was the Constitution of the Legislative Council and advised Narayanaswamy to apologise.

However, instead of apologising, Narayanaswamy said that his act was not against the chair, and said he did it as a protest as the house proceedings were not being held in order.

As soon as the house began proceedings on Wednesday morning, the opposition members continued their Tuesday’s demand and sought the resignation of Excise Minister R B Thimmapur, who is facing allegations of corruption. However, a few minutes later the issue got diverted and they started demanding an apology for insulting the
Governor.

This led to heated argument between the ruling and the opposition members and some even personally attacking each other. Members of the BJP and the JD(S) entered the well and
protested.

The chairman adjourned the session twice. Horatti even tried to bring the house into order by holding a conciliatory meeting with members of both the ruling and the opposition. However, it
failed.

Later, the opposition wanted to know whether the Governor’s speech was treated as Gratitude or Condemnation. “The Leader of the House has said that the government was condemning the Governor’s speech, the very first day. We want clarity on it and apology over that remark,” said JD(S) member S L Bhojegowda.

The chairman even announced the removal of the word “Condemnation” from the records and requested the members to allow the house to function. In spite of this, the opposition members demanded an apology from the government.