JD(S)-Congress clash in Assembly over permission to speak on copra price

JD(S) and Congress members clashed in Assembly over plight of copra farmers. JD(S) demanded to speak first, but Speaker said request came 15 mins ago. Congress members joined in, leading to bedlam. JD(S) wanted to hold Congress accountable for ₹15,000/quintal assurance. Gowda planned to target Centre for ignoring farmers' plight.

JD(S) and Congress members clashed in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday over the issue of raising the plight of copra farmers.

During zero hour, when Arsikere MLA K.M. Shivalinge Gowda was about to start speaking on the difficulty being faced by coconut farmers because of the collapse in prices of copra, JD(S) leader H.D. Revanna too urged the Chair for permission to speak on the issue.

Soon, the JD(S) members trooped to the Well of the House demanding the opportunity to speak first on the issue.

But, Speaker U.T. Khader said Mr. Gowda had sought permission on Monday itself to speak on the issue while the request from the JD(S) to raise the matter came only 15 minutes ago.

But the JD(S) members were adamant on their stand, leading to angry exchanges between Mr. Gowda and the JD(S) members. Soon, other Congress members too joined in, leading to bedlam in the House.

It may be mentioned here that Mr. Gowda had quit the JD(S) before the last Assembly elections and joined the Congress.

When nothing was heard due to the commotion, the Speaker adjourned the House for lunch.