| 19 July 2023
Chaos ensued during the proceedings of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday as nine Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were suspended for their unruly behavior. The suspension came after the MLAs threw papers at Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani while he was presiding over the session.
The uproar erupted when the Speaker, UT Khader, refused to break for lunch during the House session, leading to discontent among BJP MLAs. The turmoil unfolded against the backdrop of the BJP's ongoing protest against the Congress government, accusing it of "misusing" Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to hold meetings with opposition leaders over the past two days.
As the opposition members from the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) voiced their dissent from the well of the House, alleging that 30 IAS officers had been deputed to serve the Congress alliance leaders for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the BJP members resorted to throwing papers at the Chair and Deputy Speaker Lamani.
In response to the Speaker's decision to continue with the session amidst the protests and without a lunch break, the BJP MLAs gathered for a brief huddle before abruptly launching papers at the Chair, demanding an explanation for the cancellation of lunch. The situation quickly escalated as more members joined in, throwing papers at Deputy Speaker Lamani, causing a state of chaos within the assembly. Assembly Marshals swiftly surrounded the Chair to shield Deputy Speaker Lamani from the ruckus.
Following the pandemonium, the MLAs involved in the commotion were promptly suspended for the remainder of the session. The Congress MLAs condemned the "unruly" behavior of the BJP leaders, further intensifying the tense atmosphere in the House. Consequently, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the proceedings for the rest of the day.
Earlier in the day, despite protests by BJP and JD(S) members from the well of the House, five bills were passed without any discussion, adding fuel to the already fiery environment.
In the aftermath of the adjournment, prominent BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, voiced their considerations of moving a no-confidence motion against Speaker Khader. The BJP's discontent with the Speaker's handling of the session and refusal to grant a lunch break has deepened the political rift between the ruling Congress government and the opposition party.
The incident serves as a reminder of the mounting tensions within the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and the volatile nature of politics in the state. The suspension of the nine BJP MLAs highlights the consequences of disruptive conduct during parliamentary proceedings and further fuels the already heated political climate. As the Assembly session progresses, all eyes will be on the evolving dynamics between the Congress and BJP and the impact of this incident on the state's political landscape.
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