The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Senior politicians unhappy with Speaker’s decision

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Thursday, Mar 05, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Senior politicians unhappy with Speaker’s decision

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Senior politicians have expressed their displeasure over the decision of the Legislative Assembly Speaker Jagadish Shettar to make Legislators’ Home a part of the Legislative Assembly premises.

Such a move would send a wrong signal and give an impression that the MLAs were seeking more protection against action being taken for acts of corruption. The former Law Minister M.C. Nanaiah said protection against arrest given to legislators could not be extended to Legislators’ Home. “It is dangerous. Although the Speaker intends to do this for upholding the dignity of the House, this will given an impression that the MLAs are being given protection for acts of misconduct that occurred in the Legislators’ Home,” he said.

Mr. Nanaiah said the protection enjoyed by the legislators was restricted to areas where legislative proceedings were held. This included the Legislative Assembly, the lobby of the Speaker, Cabinet Ministers and Leader of Opposition.

“Except for rare committee meetings, no legislative proceedings are held at the Legislators’ Home. It’s a public place. People come here to meet the legislators,” he said.

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