Congress' protest over Sangamesh suspension washes out Karnataka Assembly session

MLA Sangamesh was suspended from the Assembly for a week on Thursday after he removed his shirt protesting an FIR against his family members

Congress legislators continued their protest against the suspension of party MLA BK Sangamesh on Friday, washing out proceedings at the Legislative Assembly in the first half of the day.

The Assembly was adjourned twice by Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri before noon as Congress legislators raised slogans in the House. Attempts by Kageri to convince the opposition to withdraw the protest and participate in the discussion were unsuccessful.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah had demanded from the Speaker to withdraw the suspension order, which he alleged was issued unilaterally by violating house norms. However, Kageri refused to yield, which led to sloganeering by the Congress MLAs.

Sangamesh, MLA from Bhadravathi, was suspended from the Assembly for a week on Thursday after he removed his shirt protesting an FIR against him and his family members.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah lashed out at the Speaker of being "an agent of the Chief Minister", accusing him of suspending Sangamesh at the behest of the CM. "Removing the shirt was neither indecent nor vulgar," he said, seeking clarity on the House rule that provides for suspension for the act.

"He had removed his shirt in anger, protesting the case against seven of his family members," he added.

Speaker Kageri dismissed allegations of taking a unilateral decision to suspend Sangamesh. "His suspension was under section 348 of the Legislative Assembly Rules of Procedure. He was removed only with the consent of a majority of members in the House after the ruling party moved a resolution," Kageri said.