BJP Legislators from Karnataka Walk Out of Assembly over Waqf Board Discussion Denial

Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 13 (NationPress) - BJP legislators in Karnataka orchestrated a walkout from the Legislative Assembly on Friday, claiming that Speaker U.T. Khader was obstructing their efforts to address the Waqf Board controversy.

The protest, led by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka, occurred when Congress MLAs insisted on discussing allegations of honey trapping and HIV infection against BJP MLA N. Munirathna.

Post-walkout, LoP Ashoka and state BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra held a joint media briefing at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.

Ashoka criticized the Speaker for acting unilaterally and biasedly. "I had requested the Speaker to allow a discussion on the Waqf issue on Monday. Typically, time is allocated after the question-and-answer session. It seems the government is deliberately avoiding this discussion," he remarked.

"The involvement of prominent leaders from the ruling Congress party is apparent. Four days have lapsed since we submitted our request. We aim to discuss the Waqf issue, maternal fatalities, newborn deaths, the Rs 700 crore excise scandal, and the development concerns in North Karnataka. Whenever we strongly raise these demands, the House is adjourned," Ashoka stated.

Ruling party legislators also voiced their anger regarding the failure to release necessary funds. "Speaker Khader has not been granted ministerial status, and he is exhibiting his displeasure during Assembly sessions," he expressed.

Ashoka accused the Congress of engaging in orchestrated conflicts with the BJP, leading to the walkout.

"Additionally, Congress members do not respect the Speaker's authority. The Speaker appears to be biased, aligning with the ruling government's interests. What message does this send? The government, led by CM Siddaramaiah, has schemed to erode the Constitutional rights of the opposition to engage in debates within the state legislature," Ashoka alleged.

"Due to the Waqf issue, farmers are left struggling, and maternal deaths are on the rise; these matters necessitate discussion during the session. In my 26-27 years of attending sessions, I've never witnessed anything like this," Ashoka remarked.

State President Vijayendra questioned the Speaker's conduct, noting the ruling party's lack of interest in addressing the Waqf controversy and maternal fatalities.

"All procedural rules governing the session have been breached. We had an audience with the Speaker alongside senior legislators, urging him to put an end to this. The due processes are complete, yet we are not afforded the opportunity to discuss the Waqf issue. Instead, other topics are prioritized," he asserted.

When questioned about the Congress's intent to discuss BJP MLA Munirathna's honey-trapping case, Vijayendra replied that the matter is currently before the court. "The MLA has faced incarceration and been released; what can we discuss about him in the session? CM Siddaramaiah has been absent from the session for two days. A whole week of the winter session has elapsed. This is a betrayal of democracy. The Speaker permitted discussion for half a day on the inauguration of a portrait of Anubhava Mantapa, as if CM Siddaramaiah had constructed a monument. The opposition is unable to perform its duties," he stated.

The BJP has initiated a campaign against the alleged listing of farmers' lands and properties belonging to religious institutions as Waqf board property in Karnataka. Following public backlash, CM Siddaramaiah declared that notices issued by the Waqf board to farmers and others would be revoked and land records amended.