BJP’s new priorities may hold up debate on Muda in Karnataka assembly | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU: The second half of the two-week monsoon session of the legislature, beginning Monday, is likely to be rocky with principal opposition BJP, supported by ally JD(S), certain to put the govt on the defensive on various issues and scams.
Last week, BJP, the principal opposition party, had targeted the govt over misappropriation of Valmiki corporation funds.It is now expected to corner the govt over wrongdoing in allocation of sites by Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in which chief minister Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi is a beneficiary. The alleged diversion of funds from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes sub-plan is also on the agenda.
BJP has also trained its guns on assembly speaker UT Khader accusing him of being partisan and unfair. A section of BJP legislators is keen on protesting the speaker’s ‘attitude’ in the House, but others have cautioned them about the consequences of going against the chair.
It has created a divide in BJP with some functionaries suggesting it would divert focus from the Muda scam and it would lead to the opposition letting Siddaramaiah off the hook. A meeting will be held on Monday to thrash out a strategy.
“We are mindful of allegations of ‘adjustment politics’ that detractors have levelled against us, but there is no question of going soft on the govt on corruption issues including the Muda scam,” said Aravind Bellad, deputy leader of opposition in the assembly.
But Khader defended his stance, saying, “There is no point in blaming the chair. The priority is to debate burning issues. All members, whether from governing party or opposition, must behave.”
BJP has given notice to an adjournment motion on alleged diversion of SC-ST subplan funds and it is planning to demand the speaker allow a debate on the issue on Monday. Seniors said the party is planning to seek an adjournment motion on the Muda issue on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“We will raise the issue in both Houses and seek the chief minister’s resignation as we have documents to prove guilt. Our legislator representing Mysuru (TS Srivatsa) will prominently take part in the debate,” said BY Vijayendra, BJP state president.
Governing Congress too is prepared to raise alleged scams during BJP’s tenure. On Sunday the party released a “list” of these scams to the media. Arsikere MLA KM Shivalinage Gowda has already given notice of an adjournment motion on the D Devaraj Urs Truck Terminal scam, in which former BJP MLC DS Veeraiah has been arrested.
“BJP has no moral right to talk about corruption as there were innumerable scams when it was at the helm. Our members will raise all these issues in the House,” said Congress chief whip Ashok Pattan.
Congress will also seek to brief the House on the prevailing distress due to heavy rain across the state.
Siddaramaiah and senior ministers visited rain-affected districts on Sunday, while revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda made a statement on the issue last week. The opposition is likely to demand the govt’s account of relief measures.
