JDS too seeks disqualification of 3 rebel party legislators
Bengaluru, July 11: After the Congress, the JD(S) Thursday said the party too has approached the Assembly Speaker seeking disqualification of three of its legislators, who are among the 16 MLAs who have resigned, pushing the H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition government to the brink of collapse.
The three MLAs against whom JD(S) has sought disqualification are A H Vishwanath (Hunsur), K C Narayanagowda (K R Pet) and K Gopalaiah (Mahalakshmi Layout).
However, Speaker Ramesh Kumar said he cannot take cognisance of the JD(S)s petition to disqualify the legislators as it was not filed in the proper format.
The party has sought their disqualification for indulging in "anti-party" activities and for giving up membership voluntarily in the interest of justice.
"Yesterday I have filed a petition against three JD(S) MLAs seeking action under anti-defection law. Today I have submitted documents to Speakers office," JD(S) spokesperson Ramesh Babu said in a statement, adding that he was accompanied by advocates.
However, the speaker said he cannot take cognisance of the JD(S)s application to disqualify MLAs as it was not filed in the proper format, and those who have submitted it were neither MLAs nor party leaders in the House.
In its petition seeking disqualification of the MLAs, the JD(S) alleged that the MLAs had participated in "anti-party activities" by identifying themselves with BJP and are now trying to destabilise the coalition government.
The MLAs had addressed the media making serious allegations against the JD(S) and the coalition government, he said, adding they had acted against the directions of the party and had failed to attend the JD(S) legislature party meeting without any valid reasons.
The MLAs had also met the Governor and declared that they had withdrawn support to the government without informing the leaders of the party, the petition said.
"The facts and circumstances clearly demonstrate that the respondents have voluntarily given up the membership of JD(S). In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances it is clear that the MLAs have got themselves disqualified from being the MLAs.
It is therefore clear that the ingredients of section 2(1) (a) of the 10th schedule of the constitution of India had been attracted by them for being disqualified from their membership," it said.
Fighting to save the coalition government, the Congress had on Tuesday sought disqualification of its rebel legislators and accused the BJP of using money power to lure its members .
The party, however, did not move any petition against seven time MLA Ramalinga Reddy, and said he was an "exception."
Among the 16 MLAs who have resigned 13 are from the Congress and three from JD(S).
Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao Thursday appeared before the Speaker in connection with the petition they had moved recently seeking disqualification of rebel party MLAs.
"We have moved petition against MLAs under anti-defection law, today hearing was done concerning two members, against other members also we have given petition to Speaker.
He has to decide whether they have to be disqualified or not, only then resignation and other issues will come in...
Our petition is against all members who have resigned, except Ramalinga Reddy," Rao told reporters.
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Why remove Mahatma Gandhi's name, asks Priyanka on move to replace MGNREGA
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday slammed the government over its move to change the name of MGNREGA, asking what is the government's intention behind removing the name of Mahatma Gandhi who is the tallest leader not just in India but in the world.
A bill to repeal the MGNREGA and bring a new law for rural employment -- Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025 -- is set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha. According to a copy of the bill, it seeks to introduce the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, in Parliament and repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005.
Asked about the government's move, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Whenever the name of a scheme is changed there are so many changes that have to be made in offices, stationery... for which money is spent. So, what is the benefit, why it is being done?"
"Why is Mahatma Gandhi's name being removed. Mahatma Gandhi is considered the tallest leader not just in the country but in the world, so removing his name, I really don't understand what is the objective? What is their intention?" she told reporters in Parliament House complex.
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"Even when we are debating it is on other issues not the real issues of the people. Time is being wasted, money is being wasted, they are disrupting themselves," Priyanka Gandhi added.
The bill aims at establishing a "rural development framework aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047", by providing a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment in every financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work.
The bill has been listed in the Lok Sabha in the supplementary list of business issued on Monday.
Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in the statement of purpose of the Bill, said MGNREGA has provided guaranteed wage-employment to rural households over the past 20 years.
However, "further strengthening has become necessary in view of the significant socio-economic transformation witnessed in the rural landscape driven by widespread coverage of the social security interventions and saturation-oriented implementation of major government schemes", he said.
#WATCH | दिल्ली: कांग्रेस सांसद प्रियंका गांधी वाड्रा ने MGNREGA का नाम बदले जाने पर कहा, "...वे महात्मा गांधी का नाम क्यों हटा रहे हैं? वे इस देश के, इतिहास के और दुनिया के सबसे बड़े नेता माने जाते हैं। मुझे समझ नहीं आ रहा इसके पीछे इनकी(सरकार की) मंशा क्या है? सदन चल नहीं रहा।… pic.twitter.com/gp5wNLllDu
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