Ministers' absence in assembly undermines govt's dignity, says Speaker UT Khader
Bengaluru, Mar 18 (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Tuesday criticised the absence of ministers in the House, saying it undermines the dignity of the government.
He sought to know why ministers choose to hold their positions if they cannot come to the Assembly sessions and take part in the discussions on time.
Responding to opposition BJP's criticism of the government, he said most ministers were absent in the Assembly, other than a few.
"... The ministers should be present in the House, no one can tolerate their absence. Ministers are bringing down the dignity of this government. By not coming to the House on time, ministers are causing disrespect to the government, despite good works," he said from the Chair.
Pointing out that no minister other than Krishna Byre Gowda was present in the House on Monday evening, he said his presence facilitated some legislative business.
"Why become a minister when they don't like to come to the House on time? Send someone who can come (on time as Ministers). They want to become ministers, but they can't answer or stand on behalf of the government in the Assembly, what should be done?" he wondered.
The Speaker remarked that opposition criticism on the issue cannot be dismissed.
When Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil arrived in the House, Khader said, "When the Chief Minister is present in the House, all Ministers come, it is not required, as the Chief Minister can manage things. They (ministers) should come, when the CM is not there. What is the use of (ministers) coming when he (CM) is here, and leaving when he is not there."
Earlier, as Leader of Opposition R Ashoka initiated a discussion on the law and order situation in the state, BJP MLA Sunil Kumar criticised the government by pointing at the empty treasury benches.
"Who is there in the House to question this government? The law and order situation is the state is orphaned just as this House has been abandoned by this government and its ministers. There is no one to question, the Speaker has to come forward and protect us, you (Speaker) should not become helpless from the Chair," he said.
Despite the Speaker's attempts to persuade him, Kumar said, "We have been sitting here since the quorum bell rang at 9.45 am for the proceedings to begin. We were here till 10 pm yesterday. The Speaker should not struggle if ministers don't come to the House on time."
Kumar was joined by other BJP legislators in demanding that the House be adjourned for some time. They asked how the Chair could carry on with the proceedings of the House in the absence of the Ministers.
Kumar said Ashoka was present in the House till 10.15 pm last night and again returned at 9:45 am today. He questioned the seriousness of the ruling party members when the LoP was discussing the issue of law and order.
When Minister Krishna Byre Gowda tried to defend the government, the Speaker retorted, "You are here, where are others?"
The speaker's comments were welcomed by Ashoka and other opposition members for holding the government accountable.
Later, when the House met post lunch, Sunil Kumar, again pointed to the empty treasury benches and said the government and ministers seem to have not learnt a lesson.
Leader of Opposition Ashoka said let the House be adjourned till the ministers come and requested the Speaker to direct the government's chief whip to ensure that ministers are present or remove him from the post.
In response, Chief Whip Ashok Pattan said, he was ready to resign. "I telephoned them (Ministers) and was told that they will come in some time..."
Speaker Khader then adjourned the House for some time.
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'Like-minded' Cong MLAs attend dinner hosted by Jarkiholi amid power tussle for CM post
Belagavi (PTI): 'Like-minded' ruling Congress legislators met for dinner hosted by senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi at a hotel here, amid the ongoing power tussle within the party over the chief minister post.
While some legislators described it as a casual dinner meeting held during the ongoing winter session of the state legislature, others said political developments in the state were discussed.
According to party sources, over 30 legislators attended the dinner hosted by Jarkiholi on Wednesday night.
Jarkiholi is considered close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Those present included Siddaramaiah’s son and MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLA K N Rajanna, among others.
Siddaramaiah was not present at the dinner as he was unwell, sources said.
The dinner meeting came a week after over 30 Congress legislators, including some ministers, attended a dinner along with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on the outskirts of Belagavi.
"There is nothing special about it. Giving a dinner to like-minded people is common. Such meetings keep happening. We too had one yesterday. There was nothing special, and not much political discussion took place," Jarkiholi told reporters here on Thursday.
He said this was not the first such meeting. "We have met several times before. They (legislators) have come to my place as well. Like-minded people met," he said.
However, Rajanna, a former minister and MLA considered close to the chief minister, said political matters were discussed during the dinner.
"Yes, Satish Jarkiholi hosted a dinner meeting yesterday. It was not limited to SC/ST legislators, as reported. He invited all like-minded legislators. I also attended. Several political matters were discussed. Jarkiholi himself may explain the details," Rajanna told reporters.
Asked whether politics was discussed at the dinner, he said, "Why would we meet otherwise? Would we meet just for food? When people meet, discussions are bound to happen. It serves multiple purposes."
Reacting to state BJP president B Y Vijayendra’s remark describing Siddaramaiah as an "outgoing CM", Rajanna said, "Then let us call Vijayendra the outgoing BJP president. Siddaramaiah is not outgoing. He is very much in and will continue."
Yathindra Siddaramaiah said such dinner meetings are common during legislative sessions and that he attends whenever invited.
"Everyone is hosting lunches and dinners. Recently, Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao invited me, and I attended. We met during the Congress Legislature Party meeting and over dinner. If any minister invites me, I will go," he said.
On Vijayendra’s "outgoing CM" comment, Yathindra said the opposition had been making such remarks from the beginning. "There is no meaning to the opposition’s criticism. Can we react every time? Let it be," he said.
The power tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation of a change in leadership after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
Reports of an alleged power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023 fueled the speculation. However, both the chief minister and the deputy chief minister recently held breakfast meetings at each other’s residences on the instructions of the party high command.
This is seen as an attempt to pause the leadership tussle and signal Siddaramaiah’s continuation as CM for the time being.
Meanwhile, Rajanna stated that if a Cabinet reshuffle were to take place, two berths should be allocated to the Valmiki (ST) community. "It will be given," he said.
Asked about his own chances of returning to the Cabinet, Rajanna said he was not bothered. "I may get a minister post or may not. I am least concerned," he said.
Rajanna, who earlier served as cooperative minister, was removed from the Cabinet earlier this year following directions from the Congress high command.
Certain remarks made by him, including comments related to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s "vote theft" allegations, were cited as reasons for his removal.
The former minister said he would meet the party high command in Delhi if called. "If called, I will go. Am I mad to go without being called? Should I go just to eat at Karnataka Bhavan and return? I have sought time. If time is given, I will go," he said.
Regarding a change in the state Congress president, a post held by Shivakumar, Rajanna said there is an AICC press release dated May 18, 2023, based on which action should be taken.
Rajanna, who has been batting for a change in the state Congress president, was referring to the release which stated that Shivakumar would continue as president until the 2024 parliamentary elections.
