Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Council on Tuesday witnessed ruckus and harrowing scenes marking a new low in the history of Karnataka legislature. Council Chairman Pratap Chandra Shetty was locked out by the BJP members while the Congress members dragged Deputy Chairman S.L. Dharme Gowda by his collar after he had occupied the Chairman’s seat.
It may be recalled here that the BJP had petitioned the Governor to convene a special session to move a no-confidence motion against the Council Chairman alleging non-corporation, bias and partisan conduct.
No sooner the Congress realised that JDS is not playing the ball to retain Shetty as a Chairman, a meeting of the senior congressman was called by S.R. Patil, floor leader of the party.
The BJP which got a shot in the arm as radius openly declared that it will support the saffron party in the no-confidence motion and election of new Chairman drew its strategy to tackle the Chairman.
As the bell rang for the Upper House to commence the Legislative Council members started assembling in the hall. Even before the bill could stop which also signals the arrival of the Chairman to preside over the BJP ensured that Dharme Gowda occupies the Chairman’s seat. Both the BJP and the Congress members rushed into the hall with both party leaders shouting slogans. What followed were shocking scenes of Congress leaders manhandling and roughing up of Dharme Gowda even as the marshals stood as mute spectators.
Pratap Chandra Shetty, who arrived in the Council, declared adjournment of the House sine die. The BJP members quickly charged towards the door and shut it, not budging to the adjournment declared by the Chairman. This led to further commotion in the hall as both the BJP and Congress leaders were manhandling and pushing around each other.
Moments later the marshals ensured that the doors were opened and senior Congress leaders charged out of the Legislative Council.
While the Congress said that it was unbecoming of the BJP to put the Deputy Chairman of the Council in the chair even as the Chairman was supposed to conduct business in the house.
The BJP, on the other hand, alleged that when there is a no-confidence motion against the Chairman and a 15-day notice has been served to the Chairman it is the bounden duty of the Deputy Chairman of the Council to preside over the council business as a conflict of interest issue arises in this case.
Later, a delegation of BJP leaders went and met Governor Vajubhaibhai Vala and petitioned him to reconvey the Legislative Council and successfully remove Shetty as Council chairman. The JDS too was part of this delegation. The Congress leaders are in a huddle over this issue and are expected to explore all options including legal recourse.
