The Hindu : Karnataka News : Congress stages walkout in Legislative Council

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Congress stages walkout in Legislative Council

Special Correspondent

Opposition seeks adjournment motion on Supreme Court obervations
Acharya says there is no need for it as Yeddyurappa has taken fresh confidence vote

BANGALORE: Congress members on Friday staged a walkout in the Legislative Council, expressing dissatisfaction over Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy's decision to disallow their request to move an adjournment motion on the situation arising out of the observations made by the Supreme Court while quashing the disqualification of 16 MLAs by the speaker.

The Chairman's decision followed the submission by Leader of the House and Minister for Higher Education V.S. Acharya stating that Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had taken a fresh vote of confidence on Thursday.

There was chaos in the House when Dr. Acharya criticised the Congress in strong words. When the Chairman announced his decision, Congress members led by Leader of Opposition Motamma staged a walk-out.

The ruling party members raised several technical and legal objections when Congress leaders including Ms. Motamma, Veeranna Mattikatti, M.V. Rajasekharan and V.R. Sudarshan made their preliminary submission on the admissibility of the adjournment motion sought to be moved by them.

Ms. Motamma accused Mr. Yeddyurappa as being the “abetter” in the act of Speaker K.G. Bopaiah disqualifying 16 MLAs, which attracted criticism from the Supreme Court. The Chief Minister misused his power to save the Government, Ms. Motamma said, and urged the Chairman to allow the adjournment motion to discuss legal, ethical, moral and constitutional issues involved in Yeddyurappa functioning as Chief Minister during the last eight months when the 16 MLAs had been disqualified.

Minister for Kannada and Culture, Govind Karjol asserted that the apex court had not passed strictures against the Speaker, but had only made certain observations. However, the Government was ready for discussion within the framework of Constitution, he said.

. Mr. Rajasekharan maintained that such a motion was being moved to protect the system of parliamentary democracy and values which were facing great danger in recent days.

Describing the apex court's judgment as a “landmark” One, Mr. Sudarshan accused Mr. Yeddyurappa of “manufacturing justice” to protect his government and said that there was no moral sanction for the decisions taken by the Government from last October when the 16 MLAs were disqualified. The question here was not about the government getting majority, but the ways adopted by it to get the required numbers.

After Congress members staged a walk-out, the Chairman adjourned the House for Monday.

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