Bengaluru: The legislative council Friday witnessed uproarious scenes and was adjourned several times after opposition BJP stalled work by demanding the suspension of Congress member BK Hariprasad, a permanent invitee of Congress Working Committee (CWC), for allegedly insulting governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot. BJP members accused Hariprasad and his party colleague S Ravi of unruly behaviour during Thursday’s joint session when governing party legislators attempted to gherao the governor while he walked out after refusing to read a govt-drafted address. Congress MLCs and ministers defended Hariprasad, raised counter-slogans and demanded the removal of the governor for allegedly disrespecting the national anthem. Opposition leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and floor leader NS Boseraju filed separate requisitions with council chairman Basavaraj Horatti, who told the House Narayanaswamy had demanded the suspension of Hariprasad and Ravi. Boseraju, in his letter, requested a debate on disrespect to the national anthem by the governor. Horatti rejected Boseraju’s requisition saying there was no provision to discuss the governor. However, he informed the House that he had referred Narayanaswamy’s requisition seeking action against Hariprasad and Ravi to the ethics code committee, which would make a decision after verifying the claim. Congress’ Puttanna objected to the chairman’s ruling and requested a review. Later, Congress submitted a fresh requisition condemning the chairman’s decision. “I will examine the pros and cons of it and reserve my decision,” he informed the House before adjourning for the day. Earlier, Narayanaswamy termed Hariprasad’s conduct “unacceptable”, while Hariprasad alleged the governor insulted the national anthem. As soon as the session began, the chairman allowed Narayanaswamy to speak on a letter he submitted, but Hariprasad then raised a point of order, which the chairman permitted. Opposition members objected, questioning how a point of order could be allowed. They insisted that the opposition leader be given a chance to speak first. The chairman suggested hearing the point of order first and then allowing the opposition leader to speak. BJP members protested and chanted slogans against Congress, calling them “rowdy legislators” and “hooligans”. Congress MLCs raised counter-slogans, leading to chaos. BJP and JD(S) members said the chairman was eyewitness to the incident that occurred on Thursday and demanded that he suspend members who behaved like goondas by trying to attack the governor. The chairman rejected their claim, and the House was eventually adjourned till Monday.
