Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 28: The Karnataka BJP on Monday, April 28 submitted a memorandum to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, seeking his intervention to revoke the suspension of 18 party MLAs and urging him to direct Assembly Speaker U T Khader to reconsider the decision.
Led by leader of the opposition R Ashoka and state BJP president B Y Vijayendra, a delegation of BJP leaders met the Governor, calling the suspension "undemocratic" and requesting that the suspended legislators be allowed to resume their legislative duties.
Ashoka said, "We respectfully urge the Governor to protect democratic values by ensuring that the elected representatives of the people are not denied their constitutional rights. The suspension must be revoked immediately."
Vijayendra accused the Speaker of acting under the influence of the ruling Congress government. "The Speaker must remain neutral. He should not act as a puppet of the government," Vijayendra said. He alleged that the suspension of the 18 BJP MLAs was unconstitutional and politically motivated.
He further pointed out that despite multiple appeals by the BJP leaders during the Assembly session, the Speaker refused to reconsider the suspension. "We urged the Governor to intervene and advise the government to uphold democratic principles," he said.
The BJP delegation highlighted that the suspension was linked to protests staged by the party during the recent Budget session over issues such as the alleged honey-trap controversy and the government's move to reintroduce 4% reservation for Muslims under the OBC category.
In their letter to the Governor, BJP leaders explained that the protest on March 21, where MLAs rushed to the Well of the House and created disruptions, was spontaneous and not pre-planned. "We had no intention of disrespecting the Chair. Unfortunately, the Speaker did not allow us an opportunity to explain before passing an order under Rule 348 of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business," the BJP stated.
The BJP letter noted that the suspension deprived 18 elected representatives of their right to speak for their constituencies, calling it a "grave injustice" to democracy.
They also recalled that the Speaker had earlier remarked in Mangaluru that the decision to suspend the MLAs was not taken independently, indicating the influence of the ruling party.
The BJP demanded that the suspension order issued on March 21 be withdrawn and that the suspended MLAs be allowed to return to their legislative responsibilities.