Legislature passes MGNREGA resolution, BJP stages walkout

Bengaluru: The joint session of the legislature ended in disorder Wednesday, but not before governing Congress pushed through a resolution condemning the Centre's move to repeal Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). In the end, BJP and JD(S) members walked out in protest. The resolution came amid continued demands from the opposition for the resignation of excise minister RB Timmapur over alleged corruption amounting to Rs 6,000 crore in the department. The assembly debated the resolution for six hours and 51 minutes, but much of it was lost amid sloganeering and disruptions.
The opposition — both BJP and JD(S) — had begun their protest on Tuesday with a night-long dharna in the assembly. When the House reconvened Wednesday, members resumed their agitation, accusing the excise minister of overseeing what they described as the "largest corruption scandal in Karnataka's history". Opposition members raised slogans and displayed placards in the well, demanding Timmapur step down. Speaker UT Khader repeatedly appealed to protesting members to withdraw their dharna and participate in the discussion on the resolution, but opposition members refused, leading to further disruptions. During the uproar, opposition leader R Ashoka of BJP reiterated allegations that corruption worth Rs 6,000 crore had taken place. He claimed that despite submitting documentary evidence, Timmapur had not quit, raising questions about the role of the chief minister. Ashoka demanded Timmapur step down and face an inquiry, adding that the minister could return to the cabinet if found innocent. He said there was precedent, pointing out that KJ George (Congress) and KS Eshwarappa (BJP) had resigned following allegations of corruption and were later reinstated after being given a clean chit following an investigation. He said the same standard must apply to Timmapur. Ashoka trotted out old allegations without offering any evidence that Karnataka had become a "Reserve Bank" for Congress' high command and accused CM Siddaramaiah of following moral double standards. Washed out again In the Upper House, a debate continued over CT Ravi's (BJP) "Pakistan" remark. But not all were pleased with YM Satish (BJP) expressing concern that the House was losing sight of governance issues. Intervening in the debate, Satish, 57, said 10 days of the session were washed out without any discussion on development or public needs. "This House is not meant for personal fights, but to discuss what people of the state want," he said, adding that apart from raising the issue of persons with disabilities being excluded from the governor's address, he had remained silent. Satish accused governing Congress of deliberately delaying the discussion on the MGNREGA resolution, alleging that it would be tabled at 5pm and passed within 10 minutes. He urged the govt to extend the session by two more days, if necessary, to allow for a full-fledged debate. Echoing these concerns, the deputy chairman MK Pranesh said the House functioned on taxpayers' money and that excluding public issues from discussion was not appropriate.