Bengaluru: Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Pratap Chandra Shetty has issued a show-cause notice to Secretary K R Mahalakshmi seeking an explanation on what “transpired in the House” before and after he left the premises.
The development comes days after chaos broke out in the Upper House when the Deputy Chairman tried to begin proceedings before the Chairman’s arrival. This led to the Deputy Chairman S L Dharmegowda being manhandled by legislators.
According to The Indian Express, Chairman Shetty has given the Secretary 48 hours to reply to the notice stating, “You have acted in violation of the rules and above the scope of your position as the Secretary. Why should action not be initiated against you?”
The Chairman also alleged that BJP leaders “stopped” him from entering the House and “allowed the Deputy Chairman to occupy the chair bringing shame to the Council”, the report added.
Shetty also noted that, according to recorded visuals, the Secretary, who is supposed to take charge of the House in the Chairman’s absence, did not stop the Deputy Chairman from occupying the chair and added that it looks like “the Secretary was also part of the conspiracy”, as he allowed the Deputy Chairman to continue the session by handing files to him.
It can be recalled that commotion unfurled in the Legislative Council on December 15 over the issue of moving a No Confidence Motion against Council Chairman Prathap Chandra Shetty. The members hurled abuses at one another, pushed and pulled each other in the Council.
Soon after, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa demanded the Chairman’s resignation.
