Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly witnessed heated exchanges on Monday after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made critical remarks about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) while dismissing Opposition claims regarding the state’s law and order situation.
The remarks sparked strong objections from BJP legislators, with Leader of Opposition R. Ashok challenging Siddaramaiah to repeat his statements in public if he had the courage. BJP MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan criticized the Chief Minister’s comments, calling them inappropriate for his position. The Opposition demanded that the remarks be expunged, but acting Speaker Shivalinge Gowda refused, stating they were not unparliamentary. Siddaramaiah stood by his words, asserting that he had neither spoken falsely nor used inappropriate language.
The situation escalated as BJP members retaliated with allegations against Congress leaders, prompting a strong response from Congress ministers, including Priyank Kharge. The Assembly descended into chaos, with members shouting slogans and hurling accusations, forcing multiple adjournments. Speaker U.T. Khader later convened a meeting with floor leaders to resolve the impasse.
Another controversy arose when Congress MLAs accused a BJP member of illegally recording the proceedings using a mobile phone, which is prohibited in the House. Law Minister H.K. Patil demanded that the Speaker take action, but BJP members denied the allegations and instead accused Congress legislators of mishandling the national flag during a protest against the RSS remarks.
Although BJP demanded a judicial inquiry into the flag incident, the issue was eventually dropped, and the Assembly resumed its proceedings.
