Rights of MLAs denied in revised protocol, allege BJP legislators

Members of the BJP, on Wednesday, took serious exception to the recent changes in the State protocol that they allege take away the privileges of the MLAs.

Suresh Gowda of the BJP raised the issue during the Zero Hour in the Legislative Assembly and alleged that the rights of the legislators had been taken away. “As per the revised protocol, the District Minister will preside over the programmes attended by Chief Minister and DCM. Earlier, MLAs of the respective assembly constituency used to preside over the programmes,” he said.

Further, he pointed out that the revised protocol undermined the position of the Speaker of the House as well. “The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has been placed below the Chairman of the Legislative Council and the High Court judges in the order of importance,” he said.

Leader of Opposition R. Ashok argued that the MLAs had been reduced to mere ‘guests’. “MLAs are the true representatives of the constituencies. The District Ministers are guests who can be removed anytime at the will of the Chief Minister,” he stated.

Minister for Law, H.K. Patil, responding to the debate, said the issue raised by the MLAs was serious and concerned the privileges of the MLAs. He would discuss it with the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary and make a statement on the issue in the House on Thursday, he said.