From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Mar 3: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Visshweshwar Hegde Kageri rejected the Opposition Congress party’s demand for a discussion in the House over BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal’s controversial and abusive remarks against veteran centenarian freedom fighter H S Doreswamy as ``a fake freedom fighter and Pakistani Agent.’’
Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah had moved a notice to the Speaker seeking discussion on Yatnal’s remarks against Doreswamy.
The Speaker rejected the notice stating that it was not in accordance with the House rule of 328.
He also ruled that the House cannot debate the issue based on newspaper reports.
The Speaker said it was not reasonable on the part of the House to take up the discussion on the matter without giving notice to Yatnal and rejected the notice given for discussion under 363 of the House rule.
Earlier, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy appealed to the Speaker to reject the notice since was not as per the House rules.
Ministers V Somanna, C T Ravi and other BJP members too supported the Law Minister and said their party colleague’s statement cannot be discussed in the House.
Besides discussion of the matter, the Congress in its notice demanded expulsion of Yatnal from the Legislative Assembly for the “misconduct, violation of the Fundamental Duties (51A&B) and Constitution” by insulting the freedom fighter.
Siddaramaiah termed the Speaker’s decision to reject the notice as “undemocratic, unparliamentary, dictatorial, and partisan”.
The B S Yediyurappa led Government and the Speaker defending the insult meted out to Doreswamy was unpardonable, the Congress leader said.
Siddaramaiah later told the media that the Congress would continue its dharna inside the House and would not participate in the discussion on the Constitution.
The State Assembly has decided to debate the Constitution and its relevance on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Chief Minister, who is also holding the finance portfolio, will be presenting the State budget on Thursday.