Bengaluru: Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot has written to chief minister Siddaramaiah and assembly speaker UT Khader, urging them to “positively consider” BJP’s request to revoke a six-month suspension of 18 of its MLAs. The legislators were barred not only from the assembly but also from participating in its committee meetings which are considered an extension of the House.
The governor’s letter was dispatched from Raj Bhavan Tuesday, a day after a BJP delegation met him seeking his intervention. In his letter, Gehlot states: “…to uphold basic tenet of democratic values in the state of Karnataka and to enable the suspended members to resume their responsibilities as people’s representatives. I desire that their request be considered positively and to take necessary steps to revoke the suspension of 18 members of the Karnataka legislative assembly.”
Gehlot also said: “They (BJP) have requested to forward their representation to the speaker, Karnataka legislative assembly, and to the state govt to reconsider the suspension order.” The governor also sought a detailed action-taken report from the speaker and govt following his recommendation.
A BJP delegation led by state party president BY Vijayendra and opposition leader R Ashoka, had met Gehlot on Monday and submitted a memorandum seeking revocation of the suspensions. They termed the move “undemocratic and unconstitutional.”
The 18 BJP legislators were suspended on March 21 — the last day of the budget session — under Rule 348 of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Rules. Their suspension followed a vociferous protest near the speaker’s chair over two contentious issues — the govt’s move to grant 4% reservation for Muslims in govt contracts and an alleged honey-trap controversy involving cooperation minister KN Rajanna. Some BJP legislators climbed onto the speaker’s podium and surrounded his chair, while others hurled papers from the well of the House. Marshals had to intervene and forcibly evict the legislators.
Since their suspension, BJP has held meetings with Khader, state govt representatives, and Gehlot, seeking a rollback of the decision. With no breakthrough, BJP functionaries have indicated that they would take legal action.
On Monday, Khader said he cannot unilaterally revoke the suspension. “If the MLAs feel the suspension is not correct, they are free to approach court,” Khader added. Meanwhile, BJP is trying to exert pressure through both political and legal channels.
Khader also revealed that five legislators had submitted a petition against Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja for criticising the speaker over the suspension. “Last week I referred this petition to the Committee on Privileges. The committee will deliberate upon it,” he said.
The suspended MLAs include BJP chief whip Doddanagouda Patil, former deputy CM CN Ashwath Narayan, SR Vishwanath, BA Basavaraju, MR Patil, Channabasappa, B Suresh Gowda, Umanath Kotyan, Sharanu Salagar, Dr Shailendra Beldale, CK Ramamurthy, Yashpal Suvarna, BP Harish, Bharath Shetty, Dheeraj Muniraju, Chandru Lamani, Muniratna, and Basavaraj Mattimud.