Manippady report row brings Upper House to a halt
Chief Minister came down heavily on the Opposition for “wastingâ€the precious time of the House since three days.
Bengaluru: The Legislative Council was adjourned sine die without transacting any business for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as the Opposition showed no signs of stepping back from the demand for tabling the report of an inquiry committee headed by Anwar Manippady on encroachment of wakf properties.
The state government has taken three days time to reply to Governor Vajubhai Vala’s letter, seeking clarification following complaints from Chairman and deputy Chairman of the Council and Opposition legislators that the report was not tabled in the House.
Amid a dharna and slogan-shouting by Opposition legislators, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah replied briefly to the debate on the state budget. The House approved the finance bill for 2016-17 subsequently.
In his reply, the Chief Minister came down heavily on the Opposition for “wasting” the precious time of the House since three days. “I am deeply hurt by the attitude of the Opposition of not allowing conduct of any business in the House. Such an attitude is against parliamentary proceedings and the people have condemned the attitude of the Opposition,” Mr Siddaramaiah added.
To discuss programmes listed in the budget, 50 members had sought time, but without a discussion on the budget, Opposition members have demanding for a report, though government has placed recommendations made in the report on the House. By not allowing the House to conduct business, opposition has betrayed the people, Mr. Siddaramaiah charged.
Meanwhile, Opposition legislators displayed placards in the House, alleging that the Congress government had betrayed people by not placing the Anwar Manippady report on Wakf properties and its misuse by senior Congress leaders.
Mahadayi row: House passes resolution
Amidst a heated debate between the JD(S) and Congress members on one side and BJP on the other on approving a motion seeking Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s intervention to resolve the Mahadayi river dispute, the ruling party succeeded in getting the resolution passed in the Legislature causing embarrassment to the BJP on Wednesday. Moving the resolution, Mr Patil asserted it was intended to send a strong message to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Chief Ministers of Goa and Maharashtra. “Our resolution is to protect the state’s interests and people’s aspirations, not to embarrass anyone or indulge in politicking,” he declared.
However, BJP leaders tried their best to stall the resolution citing instances where the government was forced to retract its statements in the Supreme Court or before Tribunals.