Karnataka legislature's first session in 2021 to begin tomorrow with Guv address
Bengaluru, Jan 27: The first session of the Karnataka Legislature in the New Year, beginning on Thursday, is likely to be stormy as opposition parties are likely to corner the BJP government in the state, which is already battling resentment within after the recent cabinet rejig, on a host of issues.
The seven-day long session will begin with Governor Vajubhai Vala delivering the customary address to the joint sitting of the state legislature, and it is scheduled to conclude on February 5.
This will be the first session after Chief Minister Yediyurappa expanded his cabinet by inducting seven new ministers and reallocated portfolios among certain ministers.
Public expression of displeasure by some BJP legislators about the functioning of the government is expected to provide enough ammunition to the opposition parties that are planning to corner the ruling party on its handling of the COVID crisis, providing relief to flood affected, and the state's economy.
The ongoing agitation by farmers against certain farm sector related laws and lack of funds towards developmental activities are also likely to gain prominence during the session.
The contentious anti-cow slaughter legislation is once again expected to come to the fore with a bill to this effect that was passed by the legislative assembly yet to be taken up in the legislative council.
However, the state government has already promulgated the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Ordinance that provides for punishment on killing of cattle and offers protection to those "acting in good faith" to save them, to give effect to a bill that is pending.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday ahead of the session, Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said new bills listed by the government along with those that were pending during the previous session will be taken up for consideration and passage.
Also the government has promulgated three ordinances so far and bills replacing them will be tabled during the session, he said.
All the necessary COVID related guidelines and safety measures that were in place during the previous session will be followed during this session too, he added.
The session comes at a time when there is strong resentment from aspirants within the BJP following Yediyurappa inducting seven new ministers into his cabinet and also regarding reallocation of portfolios among some ministers that underwent at least four rounds of changes, under pressure and threats of resignation.
Opposition parties are likely to latch on to open criticism of the government by some legislators, with the likes of Vijayapura City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and MLC A H Vishwanath personally attacking the Chief Minister on his style of functioning, accusing him of making certain people ministers under threat of blackmail and also his son B Y Vijayendra's alleged interference in the administration.
The election for the post of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the legislative council are also likely to take place during the session.
There are all indications that the incumbent Chairman K Pratapachandra Shetty, who is from the Congress, may resign soon, as the ruling BJP has moved a no-confidence motion against him which is likely to be supported by the JD (S).
The post of the Deputy Chairman has fallen vacant following the alleged death by suicide of S L Dharme Gowda from the JD(S) last month.
With leaders of both parties holding talks, there are all indications that the BJP and JD(S) are likely to join hands for the post of Council Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
The earlier move by both parties in December to remove Shetty as Chairman was not successful as their notice of no-confidence was rejected on technical grounds.
The House had witnessed high drama that day with the BJP-JDS and Congress members hurling abuses and pushing each other.
Amid the ruckus on December 15, the then Deputy Chairman Dharme Gowda was even pulled down from the Chair.
Currently the ruling BJP is the single largest party in the Council with 31 seats, followed by Congress with 29 seats including the chairman, JD(S) 13, one independent and one vacant (due to death of Dharme Gowda).
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Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee drowns in sea
Kolkata (PTI): Popular Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee died on Sunday after drowning in the sea at Talsari beach in Odisha, film industry sources said.
He was 43, and left behind his 13-year-old son and actor-wife Priyanka Sarkar.
He had gone to the beach, located near Digha in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district, for shooting a Bengali soap titled 'Bhole Baba Par Karega', his co-actor Diganta Bagchi said.
"After today's shoot, he went alone to the water but somehow got entangled in something under the water... The exact circumstances are not clear. Suddenly, people, including crew members, were shouting that Rahul was drowning and we pulled him out of the water. We rushed him to Digha hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead," Bagchi said.
A West Bengal Police officer said the actor was declared dead at Digha hospital after being brought from a sea beach in neighbouring Odisha.
"We have contacted our counterparts in Odisha to ascertain the sequence of events. A case of unnatural death has been registered in Digha police station as well. We are also talking to his production team members and eyewitnesses," he said.
Expressing grief over the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a statement, "I am shocked, deeply saddened to hear the news that the distinguished, young, and popular actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee is suddenly no longer among us."
"I am unable to comprehend what exactly happened. He was one of my favourite actors and a person I truly admired. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, loved ones, and countless admirers," she added.
"Rahul's sudden passing is an irreparable loss to the Bengali entertainment industry, to both Tollywood and television," she pointed out.
Rahul, known in the Bengali television industry for his character roles, had been active in soaps for several years.
He shot to fame with his role in the blockbuster 'Chirodini tumi je amar' in 2008, followed by a string of hits such as 'Tumi asbe bole' (2014), 'Zulfiqar' (2016), 'Byomkesh Gotro' (2018), 'Biday Byomkesh' (2018), 'The Academy of Fine Arts' (2025), among others.
He had acted in TV serials such as 'Hargouri pice hotel' and 'Mohonna'.
Expressing shock over the news, director Raj Chakraborty said, "After I received phone calls about his death, I wished it was not true. But, later it was confirmed."
Chakraborty, who had directed 'Chirodini tumi je amar', casting Rahul in the lead role, said he was a spontaneous actor and had immense possibilities.
"I am in a state of shock," he said.
Actor-director Anjan Dutta said he had known Rahul for many years and was not in a condition to speak about the incident.
