Congress high command to decide on alliance with JDS after discussions: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Dec 3: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the party leadership would take a call on possible tie-up with JD(S) to form a government in case the ruling BJP fails to retain its majority following the December 5 assembly bypolls in Karnataka.
His statement came even as several of his party colleagues maintained that they were not averse to the possibility of a post by-poll alliance.
"No, no such things, high command will discuss and decide about it," Siddaramaiah told reporters in Hunsur in response to a query on discussions on alliance with JD(S).
Earlier speaking to reporters in Mysuru, he said, there was no internal understanding between Congress and JD(S) during the bypolls, and both parties were seriously fighting against each other.
To another question on veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's recent statement about giving "good news" after bypolls results on December 9, he said, ".... it means we (Congress) will win in all 15 seats."
Several Congress leaders including Kharge have said the party was not averse to the possibility of joining hands with JD(S)once again to form a government, even as there were mixed signals from the regional party on post by-elections alliance.
The Congress and JD(S), who ran a coalition government for 14 months in the state and contested Lok Sabha polls in alliance, have parted ways after the collapse of the H D Kumaraswamy ministry in July following the rebellion by 17 MLAs, and are contesting the bypolls independently.
Siddaramaiah and JD(S) leaders- H D Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy had indulged in war of words and accused each other as responsible for the collapse of the coalition government in the state.
The ruling BJP led by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa needs to win at least six seats in the bypolls to 15 constituencies to remain in a majority in the 224-member assembly, which would still have two vacant seats-- Maski and R R Nagar.
Claiming that people were angry about disqualified legislators as they were "destroying" democracy, Siddaramaiah said, they have sold themselves for money and have insulted the voters.
Accusing the BJP of 'misusing' government machinery during the bypolls, he said people have decided to voted for the Congress in all 15 constituencies.
Among 15 constituencies going to the bypolls, 12 were held by Congress and three by JD(S), whose coalition government collapsed due to rebellion by the disqualified MLAs.
With winning majority of seats being crucial for the government's survival, BJP has fielded 13 of the 16 disqualified legislators who joined the party as its candidates from their respective constituencies.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Hate Speech Prevention Bill was not passed in haste: Speaker U.T. Khader
Bengaluru: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader on Monday clarified that the Hate Speech Prevention Bill was not passed in a hurry during the winter session of the Legislature held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.
Addressing a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha to brief the media on the proceedings of the session, Khader said that the bill was discussed, but confusion arose as multiple issues were taken up simultaneously.
“When an important bill is being discussed and opposition members enter the well of the House and protest, what option is left? There was a detailed discussion on the Hate Speech Prevention Bill in the Legislative Council as well,” he said.
ALSO READ: Bengaluru: Yellow Line to get 6th train from December 23; peak-hour frequency to improve
Khader added that the Assembly had provided ample opportunity for discussion, but opposition parties chose not to participate. “There was no restriction on debate in the Assembly. However, the opposition did not take part in the discussion,” he said.
Responding to a question on the venue of future sessions, the Speaker said discussions are underway on holding the monsoon session in Belagavi instead of the winter session. He explained that the winter season coincides with a large number of religious and social events, and ministers and MLAs often have prior commitments during that period.
On the reported expenditure of ₹43 lakh for the Speaker’s Bench at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, Khader said the work was carried out by the Karnataka State Forest Development Corporation and the Public Works Department.
“We are aware of the history and significance of the bench. However, the Speaker’s office does not deal with expenditure details,” he said, adding that the Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly had appreciated the design and was replicating it there. “That itself is a matter of pride for us,” he remarked.
On a question regarding Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar giving an incorrect reply in the House on the release of installments under the Lakshmi Housing Scheme, the Speaker said the minister had acknowledged the mistake and apologised on the floor of the House. “She has also assured that the department will examine how the error occurred,” Khader said.
Providing details of the session, Khader said the Legislature sat for 57 hours and 35 minutes over 10 days, during which 23 bills were passed.
As many as 39 members debated issues related to North Karnataka for 17 hours and 2 minutes, and seven resolutions were unanimously passed for submission to the Central government.
ALSO READ: GBA razes down 400 houses in Yelahanka, minority families including Muslims worst affected
A total of 2,109 questions were received during the session. Of the 135 questions listed for oral answers, 134 were answered, while 1,750 out of 1,974 questions listed for written replies were responded to.
Under Rule 351, 180 notices were admitted and 70 answered, while 228 out of 368 matters raised for attention were addressed. Two matters were discussed during Zero Hour.
Khader also noted that school and college students, along with members of the public, visited the Legislature during the session. A park was inaugurated within the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises, and the world’s second-largest national flag was unfurled during the session, he added.
