High drama unfolded in the Karnataka Assembly today as 18 BJP MLAs were suspended following intense protests and disruption of House proceedings. Speaker U T Khader ordered their suspension after repeated warnings were ignored, prompting the intervention of House marshals to physically remove the MLAs from the premises.
The BJP legislators were protesting against what they termed the state government’s failure on key governance issues. They raised slogans, waved placards, and obstructed the Assembly’s functioning, leading to multiple adjournments before the final suspension order was issued.
Speaker U T Khader, citing unparliamentary behavior, invoked suspension powers to maintain order. The suspended MLAs will remain barred from the Assembly for the remainder of the session. This move led to further uproar outside the Assembly, with BJP leaders staging protests and accusing the government of muzzling the opposition.
The suspended MLAs include prominent names such as R Ashoka, S R Vishwanath, and Araga Jnanendra. The government defended the decision, saying discipline and decorum in the Assembly must be upheld.
Security was tightened in and around the Assembly following the ruckus. House marshals were seen escorting the suspended MLAs out amid loud protests and slogan-shouting. The ruling party termed the opposition’s conduct as a planned disruption aimed at diverting attention from developmental debates.
Outside the Assembly, BJP leaders warned of statewide protests, calling the suspensions an attack on democracy. The party plans to escalate the issue to the Governor and possibly seek legal recourse.
The incident marks a new low in Karnataka’s political discourse, with public attention sharply focused on the deepening rift between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP. Observers believe the Assembly floor will remain tense in the coming days.
