Bengaluru, Feb 7 (IANS) Uproar and protest by BJP legislators against the JD-S-Congress coalition government on Thursday forced the Karnataka legislature, comprising Assembly and Council, to adjourn.
As soon as the Assembly and Council began the second day of the 10-day Budget session, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators walked towards the Chairs of the Houses and shouted slogans against the ruling allies.
“Step down, step down. Chief Minister, step down!” the legislators screamed, alleging that the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S)-Congress coalition government was in power despite “not having majority”.
In the Assembly, Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar adjourned the proceedings till Friday as the BJP members continued their protest and refused to return to their seats to allow smooth conduct of the business listed for the day.
The Legislative Council was also adjourned till Friday.
“We are protesting because the JD-S-Congress coalition does not have the support of the majority. They do not have the moral right to present a new Budget under such circumstances,” BJP state unit President B.S. Yeddyurappa told the media outside the Assembly.
His party, however, will not be moving a no-confidence motion against the government, he said.
Congress party leader Siddaramaiah asserted that the party had the support of all its legislators.
“We have called for a legislature party meeting on Friday and all our MLAs will be present for it,” he said.
The former Chief Minister said the BJP could move a no-confidence motion to know the strength of the coalition government.
“Let the BJP move a no-confidence motion, what’s preventing them?” he asked while addressing the media.
The Budget session began on a stormy note on Wednesday amid BJP legislators’ protests, forcing Governor Vajubhai Vala to cut short his address.
As many as 10 Congress lawmakers and three from BJP skipped the first day.
Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy of the JD-S, who also holds the Finance portfolio, is scheduled to present the state budget for ensuing fiscal (2019-20) in the Assembly on Friday afternoon.
–IANS
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