Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 25: In a Sunday special twist, the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs, imposed during the previous Assembly session, has finally been revoked. After two months in political exile, the suspension orders have officially been withdrawn.
A high-level meeting was held this evening at Vidhana Soudha under the leadership of Speaker U T Khader, along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, law minister H K Patil and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, where the decision was taken.
On March 21, the BJP MLAs staged a protest in the Assembly, raising the issue of a honeytrap case. During the ruckus, they were accused of disrespecting the Speaker's chair, following which Speaker U T Khader ordered the suspension of the 18 BJP MLAs for six months.
The BJP leadership strongly opposed this action, staging their own protests, writing letters to the Speaker demanding the withdrawal of the suspension, and even approaching the Governor with complaints. They were reportedly preparing to move the courts. Mounting political pressure resulted in the Cabinet recently expressing favour towards withdrawing the suspensions.
Following discussions with the government, Speaker U T Khader exercised his discretionary powers today and formally revoked the suspension orders.
Reacting to the development, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka revealed, “The Speaker is scheduled to leave for Hajj pilgrimage tomorrow (Monday). Hence, an official meeting with Assembly officials will be convened and the formal order will be issued.”
The 18 MLAs whose suspension has been revoked include Ashwath Narayan from Malleswaram, S R Vishwanath from Yelahanka, Munirathna from R R Nagar, Byrathi Basavaraj from K R Puram, Suresh Gowda from Tumakuru Rural, Channabasappa from Shivamogga, C K Ramamurthy from Jayanagar, Dheeraj Muniraju from Doddaballapura, B P Harish from Harihara, Yashpal Suvarna from Udupi, Bharath Shetty from Mangaluru, Umanath Kotian from Moodbidri, M R Patil from Kundgol, Shailendra Beldale from Bidar South, Sharanu Salagar from Basavakalyan, Basavaraj Mattimud from Kalaburagi Rural, Chandru Lamani from Shirahatti, and Doddana Gowda Patil from Kushtagi.
During the suspension period, the MLAs were prohibited from entering the Assembly hall, lobbies and galleries. They were barred from participating in any standing committee meetings and could not submit issues under their names in the Assembly’s agenda.
Any instructions issued by them were not to be recognised, they were ineligible to vote in committee elections, and they were not entitled to claim any daily allowance.
The decision to revoke the suspension is seen as a significant political development, bringing an end to the BJP legislators’ legislative “exile” and clearing the way for their return to Assembly proceedings.