Opposition in Karna assembly questions existence of govt

Opposition parties Wednesday questioned the existence of the government in Karnataka even asChief Minister B S Yediyurappa walked out of the Assembly.

Yediyurappa walked out, as CLP leader Siddaramaiah wasabout to raise objection to the new administration's decision to scrap Tipu Jayanti celebrations in the state.

As Siddaramaiah was about to raise the issue after the Speaker's election, Yediyurappa walked out of the assembly, in a hurry to travel to Chikkamagaluru to payhis last respects to Cafe Coffee Day founder V G Siddhartha,whose body was found in the morning on the banksof the Nethravathi near Mangaluru.

Siddaramaiah, who repeatedly urged the chief minister tostay back for a few minutes as Yediyurappa walked out, raised his voice, and asked "where is the government, there is no government at all.

I wanted to raise an important issue..other than chief minister, there are no ministers in this government.

The government has cancelled Tipu Jayanti all of a sudden, it is not right. There is no one else in the government other than chief minister, but he walks out, when we are raising important issue, this is not correct," hesaid.

Intervening, newly elected Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said the chief minister had already informed the House that he needs to travel to Chikkamagaluru to pay his last respects.

The Speaker also pointed out that there was no notice given to him by opposition leaders before raising theissue.

Replying to this, Siddarmaiah said all issues are not raised only after giving notice and as there was no assemblyfrom Thursday, they had to raise the issue immediately.

"They have scrapped Tipu Jayanti celebration, for what reason? The chief minister has to respond to this as thereare no ministers in this government.

Where is the government?" he questioned.

Pointing out that the speaker has powers to call the chief minister to the House immediately and respond, Siddaramaiah urged him to call Yediyurappa to the House.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader was joined by the Congress and JD(S) MLAs, who objected to Yediyurappa's conduct of walking out when the issue was being raised.

Amid opposition members raising their voice against the chief minister's conduct, Kageri adjournedthe House sine die.

The BJP government on Tuesday had scrapped the birth anniversary celebrations of the controversial 18th century ruler of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom, Tipu Sultan, in a swift act within three days after coming to power.

The government has issued an order cancelling the "Tipu Jayanti" celebrations, initiated by the Siddaramaiah-ledCongress government as an annual affair on November 10 in2015, amid opposition from the BJP and right wingorganisations then.

Siddaramaiah has termed the BJP government's decision a "big crime.