'Sex scandal' continues to rock Karnataka assembly
Bengaluru, Mar 23: The 'sex scandal' allegedly involving BJP MLA and former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi rocked the Karnataka Assembly again on Tuesday, with the Opposition Congress protesting in the well of the house, demanding an inquiry monitored by the Chief Justice of the High Court.
Repeated adjournments marred the proceedings, pushing it towards a washout, as Congress members prevented any business from taking place by shouting slogans, even as the government did not budge to their demand and remained adamant.
Efforts by Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri to normalise the situation to transact business by calling a meeting of floor leaders did not make any headway.
However, there was a slight shift in the Congress' stand with Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah stating that the Special Investigation Team probing the case should be monitored by the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly,Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa charged Congress with wasting the time of the House as they don't have any issues.
"During the budget session, our Congress friends, by giving lame excuses, are protesting.
Ramesh Jarkiholi has already resigned, taking moral responsibility and investigation is on. The woman (in the video) is not coming forward to give her statement..we are trying to find her... what else has to be done? Why are you (Congress) protesting? I'm not able to understand," he said.
Jarkiholi, BJP MLA from Gokak, resigned as minister on March 3 after a social activist lodged a police complaint alleging sexual harassment to a 'job aspirant' and video clips purportedly showing their intimate moments surfaced. He has repeatedly claimed innocence and that the video was "fake".
Soon after the House paid obituary to former Minister B D Basavaraju, who passed away on Monday,Congress members trooped into the well, demanding a court monitored probe.
"If the government does not agree to our demands, how can we cooperate?" Siddaramaiah asked when the Speaker requested them to cooperate to take up the question hour.
Waving CDs, Congress members shouted "down down CD government,"to which some BJP MLAS like M P Renukacharya "Down down to manufacturers of CDs...Congress, a CD factory."
The Speaker said it was not right to carry CDs to the House and brandish them and asked the members to allow conduct of question hour.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basavaraj Bommai said government has given a detailed reply to the matter after discussions on Monday and there was nothing more to add to it.
"The investigation is already going on... please don't waste the time of the House.By not allowing it to function,the rights of the other members are being infringed. It should not happen," he added.
As his repeated appeals went in vain, Kageri adjourned the House for some time and during the break, summoned the floor leaders to find a way out of the impasse.
When the House resumed, Congress members continued to protest from the well, raising slogans against the government.
The Speaker informed the House he had spoken to floor leaders about finding a way out and transacting the business.
Pointing out that discussion on the budget and demands are pending, he said "this House does not belong to just the opposition or ruling party,but to all 224 members.Everyone has the right to raise their issues and take part in discussion.
It should not be curtailed.
If you are not happy with the government's response, plan activities outside, but allow the house to function."
Bommai again intervened to say government has made its stand clear to the LoP during the meeting. If the opposition was not satisfied with it, they could do anything outside, but not infringe on rights of other members through disruptions.
"If they are in the well, let them stand silently, if not take action against them," he urged the Speaker.
As Kageri requested the LoP to cooperate, Siddaramaiah said they were making a fair demand, that the probe should be under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
"Let them get it done by SIT. we are not asking for a Judicial Commission, but our intention is that the truth has to come out... if our demands are met, we will cooperate."
As repeated appeal to members to go back to their seats went unheard and slogans like "Down down CD government" continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till post lunch.
Congress had raised the issue on Monday, demanding that Jarkiholi be booked for rape and for an independent inquiry monitored by the Chief Justice.
The LoP had alleged that the SIT was focusing only on the conspiracy behind the scandal, but not the woman
Bommai had defended the SIT probe and said guidelines are being followed with regard to the woman's video statement.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
