BANGALORE: Following "non-cooperation of the Opposition with the Chair," N. Thippanna, who is officiating as chairman of the Legislative Council, adjourned the House for the day on Wednesday.

As the House assembled, Mr. Thippanna took up the Question Hour and asked M.P. Nadagouda of the Janata Dal (United) to place his questions before the House. Even as Dr. Nadagouda was preparing to respond, the Congress created a noisy scene.

Speaking at the top of his voice, Leader of the Opposition H.K. Patil said that in the absence of a constitutionally elected Chairman, the House would remain incomplete and illegal as Mr. Thippanna had no right to officiate the business of the House.

Ignoring Mr. Patil's remarks, Mr. Thippanna asked Dr. Nadagouda to proceed with the listed business.

But Dr. Nadagouda could not proceed as the Congress members raised a din, which forced Mr. Thippanna to adjourn the House for 45 minutes.

When the House assembled again, the Opposition refused to budge from its stand and forced Mr. Thippanna to adjourn the House for the day.

Allowances

The Congress members in the Council have decided not to claim allowances they are eligible to as the session, they claim, is "illegal."

The session had no "sanctity" as the "Government has forced Mr. Thippanna on the House in violation of constitutional norms," the leaders alleged.

Mr. Patil, the former Chairman of the Council, V.R. Sudarshan, and MLCs, including B.K. Chandrashekar, Salim Ahmed and V.S. Ugrappa, told presspersons that the Opposition members were aware of the huge daily expenses being incurred by the exchequer for holding the session.

The leaders also came down heavily on the reported statement of the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti that the State Government would not conduct elections until it gained majority in the Council .

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