The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Allegations against Revanna rock Council

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 07, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Allegations against Revanna rock Council

Staff Reporter

`There is no harmony among the Ministers in the coalition Government with one making allegations against the other'

BANGALORE: The Information Minister, B. Shivaram's allegation against the Public Works and energy Minister, H.D. Revanna, that he is shielding corrupt officials rocked the Upper House on Wednesday and the Opposition did not allow the Chair to take up Question Hour seeking a discussion on the issue.

The Leader of the Opposition, D.H. Shankaramurthy, and the Janata Dal (United) Floor Leader, M.P. Nadagouda, raised the issue.

The Chairman, V.R. Sudarshan, said being the Information Minister, Mr. Shivaram is also the spokesman of the Government and hence, whatever charges he has levelled against Mr. Revanna in Hassan on Tuesday are official.

Mr. Shankaramurthy said there is no cohesion and harmony among the Ministers in the coalition Government with one making allegations against the other. Under such circumstances, replies by the Ministers in the House will not have any sanctity.

The Cooperation Minister, R.V. Deshpande, who intervened, asked Mr. Shankaramurthy and Dr. Nadagouda not to raise such issues without giving notice. But he was snubbed by Dr. Nadagouda, and Ramachandra Gowda and Mukhyamantri Chandru of the BJP who said only Mr. Shivaram and the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, should speak on it.

By that time Mr. Shivaram arrived and the Leader of the House, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, asked the Chair to end the Question Hour.

Reiterating his stand, Mr. Shankaramurthy sought the resignation of Mr. Shivaram and said let the Chief Minister order an inquiry into the allegations against Mr. Revanna. Once the Question Hour ends, the Ministers will leave the House and none will be there to discuss the issues raised by the Opposition.

The Chairman requested the Opposition to cooperate with him to finish the Question Hour stating that Mr. Shivaram has agreed to make a statement. He will ask Mr. Revanna to reply on his return from foreign tour, he added.

Mr. Ramachandra Gowda sought an explanation from Mr. Dharam Singh on the issue. Soon, the Opposition members rushed to the well of the House and staged a dharna.

Mr. Kharge and Mr. Shankaramurthy entered into an argument over rules being not followed by the members while raising such issues. The Chair ordered the reporters against recording what the members, who were in the well of the House, said.

Meanwhile, he allowed Question Hour and told the members to question the Ministers concerned. The Ministers said replies have been tabled. The Chair announced that all replies have been furnished and asked the media to cover the proceedings.

Unable to conduct the proceedings, Mr. Sudarshan adjourned the House. Later, he chaired a meeting of the Leader of the House and the Opposition leaders in his chamber to settle the dispute.

When the House reassembled, Mr. Sudarshan said the House does not appreciate the Ministers' absence without prior information while the session is on.

The Chair will not allow any discussion without receiving prior notice under the relevant rule, he added.

Mr. Shankaramurthy and Dr. Nadagouda urged Mr. Sudarshan to clarify on whom the notice should be addressed to as the nature of the issue does not come under any rules such as Zero Hour, adjournment motion and Rule 330. Mr. Sudarshan asked Mr. Shivaram to clarify.

Mr. Shankaramurthy expressed displeasure over Mr. Shivaram's clarification. Stating that the Opposition is stretching the issue beyond limits, Mr. Sudarshan adjourned the House for the day.

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