Two-month standoff ends as K'taka Assembly Speaker Khader revokes suspension of 18 BJP members

Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Sunday formally revoked the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs, ending a two-month-long political standoff.

The decision followed a crucial meeting convened at the speaker’s chamber in the Vidhana Soudha, attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil and leader of the Opposition R Ashoka. The meeting aimed to restore legislative normalcy and ensure full participation in the House.

The 18 BJP legislators, including chief whip Doddanagouda Patil and senior leaders like Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, S R Vishwanath and Byrathi Basavaraj, were suspended for six months following a protest in the House on March 21, demanding a CBI probe into the ‘honeytrap’ charges aired by Minister K N Rajanna.

BJP members climbed on to the Speaker’s podium, tore official documents and hurled papers — acts which Khader deemed were a serious breach of parliamentary decorum.

Addressing reporters while announcing the revocation, Khader reaffirmed the independence of his office, noting that he had constructively considered suggestions by senior leaders.

“As speaker, none can interfere with my authority. However, leaders are entitled to offer suggestions and I have taken them into account,” he said.

“The 18 BJP MLAs are not my adversaries. Their actions were driven by heightened emotions. Though my decision to suspend them was necessary, it is now time to move forward.”

Khader said the legislators had already served two months of their suspension and that democracy required participation from all sides.

“Revoking the suspension is the right step to enable the Assembly to function smoothly,” he said.

Speaking to reporters separately, Ashoka welcomed the decision, confirming that backchannel discussions with the speaker had been ongoing for over two weeks. He said the suspended MLAs had expressed regret over their actions.

“This matter could have been resolved earlier. However, we are glad the speaker responded positively after appeals from the CM, deputy CM and law minister at the meeting,” Ashoka said.

“We appealed for an early decision to avoid further embarrassment to the MLAs, especially over their participation in upcoming tours of legislative committees,” he said.

Khader said concerns over whether the suspended MLAs should be dropped from the committees had weighed on his mind.

“I have a responsibility to uphold the dignity and honour of all members,” he said.