Disgruntled Karnataka Legislative Assembly members arrived from Mumbai by a chartered flight at HAL airport to be present in front of the Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar as per direction of the Supreme Court on Thursday, after it heard their petition alleging that Speaker delaying acceptance of their resignation to MLA posts. According to sources, the second batch of remaining MLAs are expected any time later this evening.
The Apex Court which heard their petition had directed them to appear before the Speaker by evening and had asked the Speaker to take decision after hearing from them.
However, the Speaker, in his appeal to the apex court, sought more time stating that “decision on the resignation letter cannot be taken in a hurried manner. I cannot act violating the rules and law prevailing.”
The Apex Court declining to hear the Speaker’s petition on urgent basis, asked Speaker take appropriate decision and the appeal can be heard tomorrow.
Immediately after their arrival, six MLAs drove straight to Vidhana Soudha under full police protection. Zero traffic was ensured during their travel from HAL Airport to Vidhana Soudha.
Entry into the third floor of the Vidhana Soudha was barred for public, visitors, BJP legislators and all the rooms, other than Speaker’s chamber, have been locked.
In protest BJP legislators indulged in wordy duel with Police for refusing entry into Speaker’s Chamber. They also demanded that they should be allowed to enter or Congress leaders V S Ugrappa and Kona Reddy who are in the Speaker’s Chamber should be sent out.
Meanwhile, the Speaker completed hearing from JDS on a petition filed by the party pleading for disqualification of its legislators Narayana Gowda, H Vishwanath and Gopalaiah who have resigned to their MLA posts. Prior to the meeting of the rebel MLAs, another rebel MLA, Roshan Baig, had also met the Speaker, however it last for just two minuted.
