MP blames Siddaramaiah for Speaker suspending BJP MLAs

BJP MP Jagadish Shettar demands revocation of BJP MLAs' suspension by Speaker U.T. Khader, citing lack of discipline.

BJP MP Jagadish Shettar has demanded the revocation of the suspension of BJP MLAs by Speaker U.T. Khader.

He told reporters in Hubballi on Sunday that he suspected that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was behind the suspension of the BJP MLAs.

“The Chief Minister has acted through the Speaker,” he said.

“The rules of the House say that every member should maintain discipline. If there is any indiscipline, the Speaker has the power to take disciplinary action. However, suspension is not the right step in such situations. BJP MLAs have only protested against the government when the Ministers started behaving arrogantly. If it was against the rules, the Speaker could have called them to his office and warned them. The order of suspension for six months is not necessary. It is highly condemnable. It has never happened before,” he said.

A few years ago, Mr. Siddaramaiah kicked the door of the House. Was he suspended then? It is now common for MLAs to tear papers and protest. How can it be that he was not suspended but he has made a big deal out of the protest by MLAs and is not even allowing them to attend any meeting?” Mr. Shettar said.

Meanwhile, Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who inaugurated a mega health camp in Saundatti of Belagavi district, defended the Speaker’s actions.

“The members were behaving with great indiscipline and broke all rules of conduct. They tore up copies of Budget documents. What the Speaker has done is right,” he claimed.