Delayed start of winter session of Karnataka Legislative Assembly draws flak
Belagavi, Dec 4: The opposition BJP and ruling Congress legislators expressed their strong objection over the delay in the convening of Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Monday, as it met for the winter session at 'Suvarna Vidhana Soudha' here, one hour late than the scheduled time.
Soon after 'Vande Mataram' was sung and preamble of the Constitution read after the House met for the day at around noon, instead of the scheduled time of 11 am, senior MLAs -- Suresh Kumar of BJP and Basavaraj Rayareddy of Congress -- expressed their strong objections to Speaker U T Khader over the delay.
They said the unnecessary delay without any intimation to members waiting, was sending a wrong message to the people of the state and was in violation of rules and procedures.
"The House was called to meet at 11 am, it has been an hour, it's noon now. What message are we sending out to the people? On the first day itself without any reason, one hour delay. I would like to say that you have not sent a right message through this House," Suresh Kumar said.
Rayareddy too expressed his strong reservations about the delay.
"There are rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly regarding what time the session has to be convened and how, you should have read it. There are also references in (M N) Kaul and (S L) Shakdher (Compilation on Practice and rocedure of Parliament) as to how the sessions should start and when. There is a feeling outside the House that when the session happens in Belagavi, it doesn't happen properly and such things come in newspapers," he said.
Stating that such a thing brings a bad name to north Karnataka region, Rayareddy referring as to how Lok Sabha is convened on time, urged the Speaker to begin the house proceedings at the time announced. "Whether someone comes or not, start the proceedings on time, if someone doesn't come on time it is a shame on them...you may have delayed due to various reasons, inform the House about it and ensure there is no delay and the house meets on time."
BJP legislator Basangouda Patil Yatnal, on his part urged that the discussion on north Karnataka related issues should begin from today itself; if not he will stage a protest.
"Every year the discussion on north Karnataka is scheduled during the last two days of the Belagavi session when most legislators and Ministers are not there. Please take up issues of north Karnataka and political injustice happening to the region, from today itself," he said.
Speaker Khader in his response said, the House should begin its proceedings on time and there are rules regarding it, but due to certain reasons and circumstances there will be some delay some times, and all legislators should also cooperate with attendance for the House to be convened on time.
He said, the session has been called to discuss issues relating to the entire state and north Karnataka, and let's all work accordingly.
Later, the House paid obituary reference to six former members of the House including former Minister and Speaker D B Chandre Gowda, who passed away recently.
It also paid rich tributes to five soldiers of the Indian army -- including Captain M V Pranjal from Karnataka -- who were killed during an encounter with terrorists in Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir last month.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, noting that the state government has already announced compensation to Pranjal's family, requested the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to help the family in whatever way it can, while BJP MLA Umanatha Kotian urged the government to take measures and do whatever possible to immortalise the name of the late soldier and his legacy.
Rayareddy, on his part suggested that the legislature bring out a book on Chandre Gowda and his contributions.
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BJP's Suvendu urges Bengal Guv to order independent judicial inquiry into Messi event fiasco
Kolkata(PTI): Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday wrote to Governor C V Ananda Bose, seeking an independent judicial inquiry into “administrative incompetence” and “public humiliation of citizens”at the Salt Lake Stadium here during an event featuring football legend Lionel Messi.
In his letter, Adhikari alleged that the stadium, built with public funds, was converted into a “private durbar” for political elites, resulting in humiliation and harassment of spectators who had purchased tickets.
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"I write this communication with a profound sense of anguish, constitutional alarm, and moral urgency. What unfolded at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan was not merely an episode of administrative incompetence, it was a public humiliation of citizens, a grotesque exhibition of unrestrained political privilege, and a direct assault on the rule of law in the presence of thousands of witnesses," Adhikari asserted.
He claimed that football fans were denied basic amenities and dignified viewing due to unchecked VIP presence, obstruction of sightlines, and arbitrary restrictions.
Chaos unfolded at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, after spectators resorted to vandalism on failing to catch a glimpse of Messi, alleging gross mismanagement by the organisers and obstruction of views by VIPs.
Police arrested the event’s prime organiser, Satadru Datta, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the constitution of a high-level inquiry committee to probe the incident.
Adhikari, in his letter, held the sports department, police authorities and the minister-in-charge of sports and youth affairs responsible, alleging that the situation was “enabled, if not orchestrated”, by the state administration.
He claimed that the conduct of the authorities reflected indifference to public accountability and misuse of power.
The senior BJP leader also took exception to the inquiry committee announced by the chief minister, contending that it lacked independence and credibility.
Adhikari said the panel is headed by Justice (Retd) Asim Ray, who currently holds a statutory post under the administrative control of the state government, and includes senior bureaucrats whose actions are under scrutiny.
"This committee is structurally compromised, legally infirm, and morally indefensible," he said in the letter to the governor.
Adhikari urged Bose to exercise his constitutional authority to order the formation of a truly independent inquiry committee.
He proposed that the committee be headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, and assisted by persons of unimpeachable integrity with no institutional, administrative or political affiliation with the state government.
“The issue transcends football, politics, and personalities. It concerns the right of citizens to be treated with dignity, the obligation of the state to act as trustee of public interest, and the duty of constitutional authorities to intervene when the executive becomes a law unto itself,” Adhikari said.
Later, speaking to reporters, he accused the state government of mismanaging the situation at Salt Lake Stadium, and demanded the resignation of the CM.
Adhikari said all those responsible for the fiasco should be arrested, and spectators must be provided refunds.
He alleged that senior Trinamool Congress leaders and their associates crowded around Messi, leaving thousands of fans at the stadium deprived of catching a clear glimpse of the football star.
“This was a case of misuse of power at the cost of ordinary citizens. The chief minister must take moral responsibility, those responsible for the incident should be arrested, and every fan who was cheated must get a refund,” Adhikari asserted.
He added that public anger would not subside without accountability and corrective action.
