Karnataka Assembly adjourned sine die over 'tainted' ministers issue

The Karnataka Assembly today was adjourned sine die without transacting any business as BJP members staged a dharna demanding resignation of "tainted" ministers and rapping Congress government for withdrawing the stringent Cow Slaughter Prevention Bill.

As proceedings of the last day of the 10-day session began, BJP members staged dharna in the well shouting slogans against the government, accusing it of protecting "tainted" ministers and demanded their resignation for their alleged involvement in corruption.

BJP members led by Jagadish Shettar wanted discussion on corruption charges against Ministers Qamarul Islam, H S Mahadeva Prasad, and Dinesh Gundu Rao, under adjournment motion.

Speaker Kagodu Thimappa, who yesterday had rejected BJP's demand saying the matter was in courts, did not pay heed to the protesting members and went about the business of the day.

BJP also slammed the Congress government for withdrawing the Cow Slaughter Prevention Bill, passed during its rule.

The Congress government last August had reversed the previous BJP government's decision that had made the cow slaughter law stringent.

The government had decided to restore the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964, that governs the slaughter of cattle in the state.

A Bill passed by both the Houses of the Legislature during BJP rule had widened the definition of cattle, made punishment harsher and increased the age of animal to be slaughtered but it did not receive the Presidential assent.

Congress, which was in the opposition then with Siddaramaiah as its leader, had opposed the legislation, saying it would affect beef-eaters and persons engaged in cattle transportation.

Countering BJP's protest, Congress members raised slogans against them, saying the party was anti-North Karnataka and they were least interested in discussing problems pertaining to the region.

Despite the din, the Speaker proceeded with further business like tabling Lake Conservation and Development and Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) bills. As the ruckus continued, Thimappa adjourned the House sine die.