Date:28/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/28/stories/2006122807110400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Disqualification of MLAs: Speaker adjourns hearing

Special Correspondent

Petition against seven MLAs to be taken up Thursday

BANGALORE: Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Krishna on Wednesday adjourned to February 3, 2007, the hearing of a petition filed seeking the disqualification of 37 Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs, including Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, from the membership of the Lower House.

When the Speaker commenced the proceedings, Mr. Kumaraswamy, who was accompanied by his lawyer, appeared before him and sought three months' time. The Speaker rejected the plea and adjourned the hearing to February 3.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Krishna said he would take up for hearing another petition filed by Janata Dal (Secular) Parliamentary Board Chairman and former Minister D. Manjunath, seeking disqualification of seven of the party MLAs, on Thursday.

Three MLAs G.V. Srirama Reddy (CPI-M), S. Rajendran (RPI) and Vatal Nagaraj (Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha) had filed a petition before the Speaker praying for orders to disqualify Mr. Kumaraswamy and 36 Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs after the group joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party and formed a coalition government in February last.

After the Kumaraswamy Government assumed office, former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) national president H.D. Deve Gowda had suspended these legislators from the party.

Following the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and six of his supporters launching a banner of revolt against Gowda, the Janata Dal (Secular) asked Mr. Manjunath to file a petition seeking disqualification of the rebels.

Later, Mr. Siddaramaiah quit the Janata Dal (Secular) and resigned to the membership of the Assembly.

He was re-elected from Chamundeswari Assembly constituency on a Congress ticket.