A BJP delegation led by Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok on Monday called on Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader and urged him to revoke the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs so that they can continue to discharge their duties as legislators.
After the meeting with Mr. Khader, Mr. Ashok said the BJP had staged a protest in the Assembly not against the Speaker but to oppose the honey-trap issue raised by Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna and sought a CBI probe into the issue. Many such protests had occurred when the Congress was in the Opposition and BJP legislators had not shown any disrespect to the Speaker, he said.
The Speaker has responded positively and said he would announce his decision after consultations with the government, Mr. Ashok said.
Background of case
During the Budget session of the legislature, 18 MLAs belonging to the BJP had been suspended for six months from the House for creating a ruckus. They had been suspended for “indiscipline and disrespectful behaviour” towards the Speaker’s chair.
They had mounted vociferous protest demanding a judicial or CBI probe into the allegations by Mr. Rajanna, and had also torn papers and booklets and hurled them towards the Speaker.
Published – April 21, 2025 06:56 pm IST