From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jun 16: Both the ruling Congress as well as BJP and JD(S) opposition members in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly expressed their anger at authorities of law courts not allowing legislators to share the dais with judges at public functions, including inauguration of new court buildings, in the State Assembly on Friday.

The court buildings are built with the use of public money and the legislators are people’s representatives was the main argument of members cutting across party lines in the house.

The issue came for heated exchanges in the house during the ongoing extended budget session of the State legislature.

Two years ago during the inauguration of the canteen complex in the Karnataka High Court, a judge had objected to presence of former Law minister Suresh Kumar being present on the dais and had reportedly walked off.

After that incident, the law court authorities have stopped inviting MLAs to share the dais in functions organised by them. This had led to flared feelings among the elected representatives.

Congress MLA K S Rajanna, who raised the issue during discussion on demand for budget of various departments, said the State government had been allocating upwards of Rs 700 crore for construction of new infrastructure for law courts and other allocations.

If the legislators are not allowed to attend such functions amounted to disgrace of the elected representatives, he argued.

When these judges often issue contempt of court notices to legislators, why not we also move a privilege motion against them, the agitated Congress member said.

Rajanna was supported by S R Mahesh, Konareddy of JD(S), Parameshwar Naik, ShivamurthyNaik of Congress and others participated in the debate.

BJP members also voiced similar sentiments.