BJP MLAs seek extension of Karnataka assembly session

BJP MLAs today demanded extension of the Karnataka legislative assembly session, scheduled to end tomorrow, saying they have not had enough time to discuss various issues concerning the state.

Senior BJP member K S Eshwarappa made the demand as the Deputy Speaker Krishna Reddy asked members to restrict their speech to fifteen minutes as there were several members who have given their names to speak on the budget.

"9 days session, I have never seen such short session. What have we come to?" Eshwarappa said.

"Are the session, Governor's address and budget presentation done to show that the government is alive?" Eshwarappa, a former deputy chief minister asked.

"How can we discuss various issues. Don't try to shut the mouth of members, who have the right to raise issuesin the assembly. Extend the session.... fifteen or twentydays," he added.

Intervening, another BJP member Madhu Swamy, pointing at the agenda said, discussion on all the departments had been listed for today.

"How can this happen, usually discussion on one or two departments are listed for a day," he said as he requested thechair to direct the government to call for a Business Advisory Committee meeting and extend the session.

The first full-fledged session of the Karnataka legislative assembly after Congress-JD(S) coalition governmentcame to power, began on July 2 with Governor Vajubhai Vala addressing the joint session of the state legislature.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who also holdsfinance portfolio, had presented his government's maidenbudget on July 5.

As the Deputy Speaker said the issue shouldbe discussed in the Business Advisory Committee meeting andasked members to continue with the discussion on the budget,BJP's M Chandrappa pointing at several key ministers beingabsent in the House asked "where are ministers, to whom weshould speak?"
Earlier too, when the House met for the day, BJP members pointing at very few ministers being present in the House, said "Ministers, as also officers gallery are empty."