Shaadi Bhagya will isolate others: JD(S)

 

Belgaum: The controversial ‘Shaadi Bhagya’ scheme triggered a furor in the Legislative Assembly with legislators of Janata Dal (S) and Congress trading charges and countercharges on Wednesday. 

 

It started with JD(S) member B.Z. Zameer Ahamed’s criticism of the government and his charge that an attempt was being made to isolate Muslims by extending benefits of the scheme only to poor brides of the community.

 

Even as JD (S) and Congress members were locked in a verbal duel, housing minister M H Ambarish tried to convince former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to call off his two-day-old sit-in and return to his seat.

 

He said he was ready to fall at the KJP leader’s feet and sought Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa’s permission to convince Yeddyurappa. When the former CM did not heed, Ambarish held him by his arm and tried to lead him out of the well of the House. 

 

Later, leader of Opposition H.D. Kumaraswamy said the government had agreed for a debate on the scheme after Question Hour. BJP leaders including Jagadish Shettar and C.T. Ravi, however, did not agree. At this juncture, Zameer Ahamed demanded that the government withdraw the scheme, triggering a fresh bout of arguments between JD(S) and Congress legislators.