Karnataka Minister Patil calls BJP’s all-night agitation against MUDA 'scam' a 'political drama'
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil on Thursday slammed the opposition BJP over its all-night agitation in the Karnataka legislature after the party's demand to discuss the MUDA 'scam' was denied.
Patil said the BJP has used the ongoing legislative session for their political advantage despite explaining to them why the adjournment motion into the alternative site (plot) scam in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) cannot be taken up.
He said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered an investigation into the irregularities in the MUDA by a retired judge of the High Court.
“The CM has formed a commission to investigate the allegations against him. Is there any example of a chief minister forming a commission of inquiry when there was an allegation against him?” Patil asked.
He sought to know from the opposition BJP and its ally JD(S) if there is any instance of former Chief Ministers H D Kumaraswamy, B S Yeddyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai setting up a commission.
ALSO READ: Former BJP MP Pratap Simha defends Siddaramaiah amid MUDA controversy
“ The opposition party should have appreciated the CM's stand. This (overnight agitation) is just a political drama,” the Minister said in a statement.
He reminded that the opposition is not ready to discuss the landslide at Shirur in the Uttara Kannada district.
Patil alleged that the BJP is also not keen on discussing the bills on One Nation One Election, Re-establishing Common Entrance Test (CET) against National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) and several others for the benefit of people.
It is alleged that alternative sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by the MUDA.
Several supporters of Siddaramaiah too have allegedly "benefitted this way," BJP leaders alleged.
The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where MUDA developed a residential layout.
The controversial scheme envisages allotting 50 per cent of developed land to the land loser in lieu of undeveloped land acquired for forming layouts.
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BJP's women MPs urge Speaker to take action against Oppn MPs for Feb 4 ruckus
New Delhi (PTI): BJP's women MPs have urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take the strongest possible action against the opposition MPs who have committed "heinous acts" like moving deep inside treasury benches, climbing the table and laying a siege of the seat of the Prime Minister.
The women MPs of the BJP also said that the "alarming turn of events" in the precincts of the Lok Sabha on February 4 has left everyone deeply concerned, as the situation had the potential to result in serious and untoward consequences and could have marked one of the "darkest moments" in the history of India's parliamentary democracy.
On February 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to Parliament due to the opposition protests.
In their letter, the BJP's women MPs said they want to put on record their deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the exemplary manner in which the Speaker upheld and protected the dignity, decorum, and sanctity of the Lok Sabha on February 4 during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address.
On that day, the letter said that the entire House, and the whole nation, witnessed one of the "most unfortunate and regrettable incidents" within the Lok Sabha chamber.
"We saw that the members belonging to opposition parties not just entered the well of the House, but they also climbed on the table, tore papers and threw them towards the Chair.
"Moreover, distressingly, certain women Hon'ble Members crossed over to the other side with aggressive demeanour and banners and placards in their hands. They not only laid a siege of the seat of the Hon'ble Prime Minister but also moved deep inside the treasury benches where senior Ministers are seated," the MPs said in the letter.
The MPs said even though extremely agitated and furious at this grave provocation, the members belonging to the ruling party however, on the direction of the senior leaders, exercised utmost restraint and did not retaliate in any manner.
"Had we not exercised restraint, an ugly situation could have been created. To make matters even more serious, afterwards, we saw that the opposition MPs went in aggressively towards your Chamber. We could hear loud voices coming from within your Chamber," the letter said.
The BJP's women MPs said, "We, therefore, urge you to take strongest possible action under the rules, against the opposition MPs who have committed such heinous acts within the precincts of the House and brought disrepute to our democratic institutions".
They also said that during the nearly seven years of Birla's tenure as the Presiding Officer of the House, he has consistently endeavoured to enhance its prestige and effectiveness.
The MPs said as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, he has always displayed impartiality and given equal opportunity to all members irrespective of party affiliations.
"We, therefore, repose complete faith and confidence in your leadership and feel that the Lok Sabha is fortunate to have you as its custodian," they said.
The Lok Sabha has been witnessing disruptions since February 2, after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disallowed by the Chair from quoting from an article based on excerpts of former Army chief M M Naravane's "unpublished memoir", which has references to the India-China conflict of 2020.
On February 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks due to opposition protests. In an unprecedented move, the Motion of Thanks was passed on February 5 without the customary speech by the prime minister. The Speaker read out the Motion of Thanks to the President for her address, and it was passed by a voice vote, amid sloganeering by opposition members.
Birla had also said that he received concrete information that many Congress MPs could carry out an "unexpected act" by reaching the spot where PM Modi sits and, therefore, he asked him not to come to the House to deliver his address.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra refuted this.
Eight opposition members were suspended for the remainder of Budget session for unruly behaviour in the House.
