Karnataka Monsoon Session cut short as Opposition demands Minister's resignation

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

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

The Opposition BJP and JD(S) have been demanding Mr. Nagendra's resignation since he was chargesheeted in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe communities. The government has maintained that there is no need for Mr. Nagendra to quit, as none of the inquiries against him have found him guilty.

On Monday, the Opposition stepped up its protest by attempting to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha, which houses the State legislature. Police took the protesters into custody, foiling the bid. Later, the BJP and JD(S) 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's planned night-long dharna, 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.

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

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