Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)
Belagavi, Nov 16: BJP, which had staged dharna in both houses of the legislature pressing for the resignation of minister, K J George, against whom a first information report stands registered relating to deputy superintendent of police, K G Ganapati suicide, eased its stand on Wednesday November 15 and agreed to the offer for debate extended by the assembly speaker. Earlier in the week, BJP had reiterated its determination to stall proceedings in both the houses till George tendered his resignation from his position.
On Wednesday, BJP did not stretch the matter too long, and relying on the assurance given by the speaker to allow discussion on the issue, withdrew its dharna.
As soon as the house met on Wednesday, leader of the opposition, Jagadish Shettar, raised the issue and urged the speaker to allow discussions on the issue of resignation of minister, George. He noted that a bullet was found in the room in the lodge where Ganapati had ended his life, adding that this is a serious issue that has given rise to various suspicions. Congress legislators however, expressed themselves firmly against allowing any discussion. During this period, there was verbal friction between members of the ruling party and the opposition. BJP members then assembled in front of the chair of the speaker and continued their protest demonstration. After the speaker promised them to allot time for holding discussions on this issue, BJP withdrew its agitation. When issues relating to north Karnataka were taken up for discussion after the question hour, BJP did not raise the topic of George again during the day.
Sources say that the party leadership felt that continuing with harsh stand on the issue of George might prove to be counter-productive as the ire of the people of north Karnataka might turn towards the party. Hence it was thought that allowing three days time to hold discussions on problems faced by north Karnataka may provide BJP with an opportunity to highlight failures of the government in tackling these problems. This matter had also been discussed at the parliamentary party meeting of BJP.