Karnataka - Bangalore

Speaker comes in for criticism

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The Opposition in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday criticised Speaker Krishna for keeping it in the dark on the reasons for advancing the date of the budget session by two days.

While members of the Congress registered their displeasure over the "undignified" manner in which the House was convened, Floor Leader of the Janata Dal (U) J.C. Madhuswamy and Kannada Chaluvali leader Vatal Nagaraj staged a walkout.

"We pity your helplessness," the members told the Speaker.

The Speaker clarified that the Government had requested him to advance the session for introduction of some Bills that had to be passed, and he obliged.

`No mistake'

Mr. Krishna, a former Lok Sabha member, recalled that even in the Lower House of Parliament, Lok Sabha, the Speaker obliged the Government when it had to carry out urgent business.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.P. Prakash maintained that no mistake had been committed by him and neither had the Government insulted the Chair.

Leader of the Opposition N. Dharam Singh, the former Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge, the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the former Speaker Ramesh Kumar and others said they thought that the session had been convened to discuss the adverse impact of the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. But, were disappointed to learn that it was for getting the Bills passed.

Team to continue

Mr. Prakash said the Government had decided to continue with the team of counsel, led by Fali S. Nariman, to fight its case on Cauvery water sharing issue before the tribunal and the Supreme Court.

"The Government has decided to continue with Mr. Nariman and his team to challenge the tTribunal's final order before the Supreme Court and the petition seeking clarificatory orders to be filed before the tribunal," he said while intervening during the debate on the Cauvery issue.

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