Bengaluru: Commotion that has never taken place in the Legislative Council so far, unfurled on Tuesday morning over the issue of moving No Confidence Motion against Council Chairman Prathap Chandra Shetty.
The members hurled abuses at one another, pushed and pulled each other in the Council, which is often considered as the ‘House of Elders’.
The Karnataka Legislative Council was called for a day-long session on Tuesday and the ruling BJP, with the support of the JDS, was likely to insist on its no-confidence motion against Chairman K Pratapachandra Shetty — a Congress leader.
The BJP argued that Shetty cannot preside over the proceedings since a no-confidence was being brought against him.
The BJP hence insisted that the deputy Chairman should preside over the proceedings. The chaotic scenes happened when Deputy Chairman SL Dharmegowda (JDS leader) occupied chair before Chairman Prathap Chandra Shetty could arrive.
This raged the Congress members, who felt that Gowda would make away for the No Confidence Motion against Shetty as the JDS is believed to have joined hands with the BJP to oust Shetty.
Soon, the Congress MLAs pulled Gowda from the chair, while the BJP members tried to stop the same. The Council Marshals too could do little in the melee.
The BJP leaders even gheraoed Pratapachandra Shetty. However, marshals escorted him to the chair and he announced to adjourn the House sine die, a move done by Shetty even on December 10. The BJP had petitioned the Governor to convene the House again.
Minister for Rural Development and senior BJP Leader said that such hooliganism has not been witnessed in the Council in its history of 120 years.
“The entire country has become witness to the Congress’ behaviour,” he said.
Revenue Minister R Ashok said that he condemns the move of the chairman of adjourning the house. “We will meet the Governor seeking directions to convene session again. Our fight will continue,” he said.
The Winter Session was originally scheduled between December 7 and 15.
The BJP had last week said that it will bring a no-confidence motion against Shetty, the latter had adjourned the House ahead of schedule.
