Belagavi: Dec 4 (DHNS): The Tanveer Sait issue reverberated in both Houses of the state legislature with BJP members demanding that the minister resign for watching objectionable content on his mobile phone during Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations.
The Legislative Assembly and Council were adjourned sine die with BJP members continuing their dharna. The Upper House witnessed BJP members staging a walkout accusing inaction by the government against Sait.
In the Assembly, as soon as the House met, BJP members raised slogans in support of their demand and displayed placards demanding Sait’s resignation. Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar said Sait had no moral right to continue in office and should resign immediately. Law Minister T B Jayachandra said the BJP was politicising the issue and targeting Sait as he was from the minority community. Sait had kept away from the legislature on Saturday.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the question of Sait resigning does not arise. “BJP has been targeting Sait as he is from the minority community. Earlier, the party was behind Bengaluru Development Minister K J George,” he said. As the war of words between the BJP and Congress members continued, Speaker K B Koliwad adjourned the House sine die.
In the Council, BJP members said Sait had brought disrepute to the dignity of the post he held through his conduct.
Home Minister G Parameshwara said the incident had come to light through media reports, following which the government had ordered a CID probe into the matter.
The government can initiate action against the minister only after the CID completes its investigations and submits the report, he said.