Karnataka: Discord in House over booze ban

Belagavi: A discussion on prohibition plunged the  Legislative Assembly into chaos on Tuesday as the BJP members strongly objected to  Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's observation that their party chief,  B S Yeddyurappa was once against banning arrack in the state. They grew even more belligerent after Mr Siddaramaiah  called them "shameless and lacking in culture."

The issue cropped up when Excise Minister, R B Thimmapur was replying to a question by  Mr C T Ravi of the BJP on whether the government had any plans to bring in total prohibition.

When the Minister pointed out that many states, which had opted for prohibition,  later gave it up, Mr Ravi argued in favour of it saying it was important for the sake of the poor, who became addicted to drinking. He also recalled that the BJP had banned sale of arrack in the state when in power in the state.

But Mr Siddaramaiah pointed out that the ban was introduced during the coalition government in the state. And while the then Chief Minister, H D Kumaraswamy of the JDS had pushed for it, current BJP state chief,  and then  Deputy CM Yeddyurappa, had opposed it.

Angered by his remarks, BJP members  stormed into the well of the House , raising slogans.  Losing his temper,  Siddaramaiah accused them of deliberately stalling the proceedings of the House and called them "shameless and lacking in culture."  

While Speaker K B Koliwad at first rejected the BJP's plea to expunge the CM's remarks, he later assured the House that he would look into the matter. And with this the BJP members ended their protest, but not before the House had been adjourned a couple of times in the melee.