Karnataka’s Monsoon Session ends abruptly as Opposition steps up attack demanding Minister Nagendra’s resignation

The Monsoon Session of the Karnataka legislature ended abruptly on Monday, two days ahead of schedule, after the BJP-JD(S) combine announced plans to step up its protest demanding the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra.

The 10-day session, the first after D.K. Shivakumar became the Chief Minister, was scheduled to transact business on Tuesday and Thursday too. However, both the Houses of the State Legislature were adjourned sine die on Monday evening.

The Opposition BJP and JD(S) had mounted a sustained challenge to the Congress government since the beginning of the session by holding continuous protests inside and outside the House, demanding the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra, who has been chargesheeted in the alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the welfare of ST communities. However, the government maintained that there was no need for Mr. Nagendra to quit, as none of the inquiries against him had found him guilty.

However, on Monday, the Opposition BJP stepped up its attack by attempting to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha, which houses the State legislature. Though the police foiled the bid by taking the protesters into custody, the BJP and JD(S) later announced that they would launch a night-long dharna in the legislature from Monday night.

Hours later, the government expedited legislative business by taking up additional agenda items and securing approval for 10 Bills amid vociferous protests by Opposition members. This included the Appropriation Bill, which would normally have been taken up on the last day of the session. The government also made a statement in the legislature on the drought gripping the State.

During the eight-day session, a total of 16 Bills were passed.

While the early adjournment is being seen in political circles as a strategy to pre-empt the Opposition from resorting to a night-long dharna in the Houses, the Opposition BJP maintained that the government had wound up the legislature session out of fear of the Opposition.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashok, told mediapersons that it was for the first time in Karnataka’s political history that the State government had wound up the session out of fear of the Opposition.

The Opposition BJP and JD(S) members marched to Lok Bhavan and petitioned Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, seeking his immediate intervention by advising the Chief Minister to drop Mr. Nagendra from the Ministry. In the memorandum submitted to the Governor, the Opposition members urged him to take appropriate constitutional steps to ensure that Mr. Nagendra does not continue as a Minister while corruption-related criminal proceedings are pending against him.

The Opposition members took exception to the legislature not debating various important issues, including the drought, the KPSC scam and Bidadi Township. They declared that they would take out a padayatra to create public awareness about these issues.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar accused the Opposition of prioritising “politics” over discussions on issues facing the State, speaking in the Legislative Council. “We are facing severe drought this year. There are many issues to discuss. However, for the Opposition politics is more important than discussion.”