BJP brings Karnataka Assembly to halt on denotification charges

Bengaluru: The  BJP once again stalled the Assembly on Saturday demanding a CBI probe into the denotification of land by the BDA in  the guise of ‘re-doing’ the Arkavathy layout under court directions. While the government said it was ready for any probe other than by the CBI, the BJP said it would not settle for anything less than an investigation by the premier agency.

Referring to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s  allegation that he had made money through denotifying over 440 acres when in government, opposition leader, Jagadish Shettar declared he was ready for a CBI investigation. “I am ready for any probe and if I have committed any irregularity I  should be punished. I will retire from politics, if I am proved guilty,” he declared.

Not to be outdone, Mr Siddaramaiah too rose to his feet to say that he too was ready for any probe. “It was during Mr Jagadish Shettar’s tenure that the denotification process was started. It was the BJP, which raised election funds through denotification and to avoid contempt of court, our officials were forced to re-do the original plan. I am ready for any probe, including a judicial inquiry, one by a House committee or even the CID.

“The BJP wants a CBI probe as their government is at the Centre and they can get away scot free with the help of the Union government,” he charged.

Not letting the matter rest, BJP members had  stormed into the well of the House as soon as it met for the day and continued their protest, shouting slogans against the government and demanding a CBI probe into the alleged denotification scam. As Congress members raised slogans against the BJP and Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr Shettar indulged in a heated argument, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa adjourned the House for half-an- hour and called a floor leaders’ meeting in his chamber.

But when the House reassembled, BJP members continued their protest in the well. Mr Thimmappa made a final appeal for calm before adjourning the House for Monday.