Bengaluru, May 25 (NationPress) The Congress-led administration in Karnataka has reinstated 18 BJP MLAs who were previously suspended, following a strategic meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Speaker U.T. Khader.

This significant meeting also included Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, as per an official statement.

A mutual agreement was reached during the meeting to lift the suspension order. This decision was influenced by the fact that two months had elapsed since the suspension, the suspended MLAs had conveyed their remorse regarding their actions, and had assured that they would demonstrate improved behavior in future Assembly sessions.

Reflecting on the situation, Ashoka remarked: "The Speaker had been in communication with us concerning this issue for the past 15 days. I also met with him multiple times, and the matter was escalated to the Chief Minister."

“I had discussions with Minister H.K. Patil about this matter on two occasions. I made it clear that the Legislative Assembly cannot fulfill its function if only ruling party members are present. The Opposition plays a vital role. I explicitly stated that without the revocation of the suspension, the Opposition would refrain from participating in any legislative activities,” he added.

“Such situations have arisen numerous times in the Assembly. Our MLAs expressed remorse for their protest near the Speaker’s Chair. That should have been the end of it. Suspending them for six months was an ill-advised decision; it established a negative precedent and would have impacted future sessions,” he further stated.

“We meticulously addressed all aspects during the hour-long meeting. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also serves as the Leader of the House, indicated that the suspension could be lifted since the members had expressed regret for their behavior,” he noted.

“Similarly, Deputy CM Shivakumar and Minister Patil also voiced their support for revoking the suspension. The Speaker, who is scheduled to depart for the Haj pilgrimage on Monday, aimed to reach a decision before his departure. Our MLAs, who are involved in various committees, were not partaking in committee activities. Thus, the decision was made to facilitate the smooth operation of the Assembly,” Ashoka explained.

The 18 BJP MLAs were initially suspended for six months, effective March 21, due to allegations of disrespecting the Speaker’s Chair.

The suspension followed a disruption in proceedings as the MLAs protested in the well of the House, demanding a judicial or CBI investigation into an alleged honey trap attempt involving Minister for Cooperation, K.N. Rajanna.

The Speaker had announced the suspension of the MLAs - former Deputy Chief Minister C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Doddanagouda H. Patil, S.R. Vishwanath, Byrathi Basavaraj, M.R. Patil, Channabasappa, B. Suresh Gowda, Umanath Kotayan, Sharan Salagar, Shailendra Beldal, C.K. Ramamurthy, Yashpal S. Suvarna, Harish B.P., Y. Bharat Shetty, N. Munirathna, Basavaraj Muttimud, Dhiraj Muniraj, and Chandru Lamani - and instructed them to exit the House. However, BJP members assembled in the well of the house to vocally protest against this decision.

The suspended members were literally escorted out of the Assembly by marshals after the House was adjourned, causing a significant uproar in the state.