The Karnataka Legislative Assembly session is headed for a washout as the Congress staged a protest in the well of the House demanding a court-monitored probe into the sex scandal, preventing any business from taking place on Tuesday.
The only business that happened in the first half of the Assembly was a condolence motion dedicated to former minister B D Basavaraj, who died Monday.
Soon after the condolence motion, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah led the Congress into the well of the House. “The government isn’t listening to any of our demands. We will not cooperate with the government,” he said.
This was a continuation of Monday’s protest as the Congress demanded that former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi be booked for rape.
Congress members brandished a CD and shouted slogans against the government.
Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri’s plea for the Question Hour to be taken up went in vain.
Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the Congress should not “waste” the time of the House. “There’s a probe going on into the sex scandal,” he said.
Kageri adjourned the House for ten minutes. About half-hour later, the session resumed with status quo - Congress in the well of the House.
“The House doesn’t belong to just the Opposition. It belongs to all 224 members and you can’t curtail their rights,” Kageri told the Congress.
There seemed to have been some change in the Congress’ stand. “We’re not asking for a judicial probe. Let the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continue, but the probe should be under the supervision of the High Court Chief Justice. Our intent is that the truth should come out,” Siddaramaiah said.
Kageri was forced to adjourn the House again till 3 pm.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa lashed out at the Congress over their protest. “I want to ask the Congress, why are they protesting? What else do they want? Ramesh has resigned, we’re investigating and the woman isn’t traceable,” Yediyurappa said. “They have no other issue, so they’re biding time instead of participating in the debate on the budget. I don’t understand this,” he added.