Stormy start to winter session as BJP seeks George's scalp

Heated arguments between CM, Eshwarappa in Upper House

Principal Opposition party, BJP, on Monday went ahead with its plan to corner the ruling Congress by demanding the resignation of Bengaluru Development Minister K J George, resulting in pandemonium in the Legislative Council on the opening day of the winter session.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa sought to move an adjournment motion on the issue, leading to a showdown between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The saffron party has been demanding George's ouster in connection with the death of police officer M K Ganapathy. The CBI registered an FIR against George and two senior IPS officers recently in connection with the DySP's death.

While making his preliminary submission, Eshwarappa used the word "murderers" while referring to George. Irked Congress members urged Legislative Council chairman D H Shankaramurthy to expunge the word. The session was adjourned when the BJP jumped to the well of the House, accusing the Congress of not allowing them to make the submission.

"Should we listen to whatever you want to say? Can you call George a murderer when no court has proved it? Can I call you a murderer?" Siddaramaiah asked when the Council resumed post-lunch.

"There's no need for George to resign. Scores of people who have FIR against them are in power, both at the Centre and states. George resigned once although he should not have. This is not a new case, a new complaint or a fresh FIR," the chief minister said.    

For his part, George quipped that the Opposition may have lost faith in the CBI. "Look what happened in the case of IAS officer D K Ravi's death? The CBI gave me a clean chit," he said. "Let's not sit here and pass judgments."

Ultimately, Shankaramurthy did not allow the motion on the grounds that "no adjournment motion has been accepted and debated upon in the history of the House." The Council was adjourned when the BJP did not relent. "Till George resigns, we will continue out protest," Eshwarappa said.

'Come to the field'

Siddaramaiah said the Congress would respond to the BJP's demand for George's resignation politically. "You are wrong if you think George's resignation will help you politically. You will face the worst defeat. Come to the field," Siddaramaiah told Eshwarappa amid the din.