Karnataka BJP demands week-long special Assembly session, seeks debate on drought
Bengaluru, Sep 21 (IANS) Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Monday demanded that the state government extend the proposed three-day special Assembly session to at least a week, arguing that key issues such as the Kasturirangan report, drought conditions, protection of the Western Ghats, and the concerns of farmers required a more comprehensive discussion.
Addressing reporters along with Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, Vijayendra said the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats must be protected while simultaneously safeguarding the interests and livelihoods of farmers residing in forest-fringe areas. He maintained that the BJP and its ally JD(S) would jointly raise farmers’ issues and other matters of public concern during the session.
Claiming that the Congress government had bowed to pressure from the BJP’s agitation, Vijayendra said the special session was convened only after sustained opposition protests. He also alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar appeared rattled by the BJP’s ongoing mobilisation efforts, including the recently concluded Ballari Chalo padayatra.
Vijayendra argued that a three-day session would be insufficient to deliberate on the severe drought situation, the implications of the Kasturirangan report, and other pressing issues affecting the state. He said BJP and JD(S) legislators had consistently demanded a week-long session to enable an in-depth discussion.
Referring to recent comments by the Chief Minister, Vijayendra said the Assembly should also debate the Congress government’s performance over the past three-and-a-half years and examine whether it had effectively addressed people’s concerns.
Meanwhile, Ashoka questioned the government’s decision to term the sitting a “special session” and alleged that the agenda had been deliberately restricted to the Kasturirangan report and drought issues to avoid discussions on controversies such as the NICE and Bidadi Township Project row and the KPSC scam.
He contended that the manner in which the session had been convened did not conform to established legislative norms.
Ashoka further said the BJP had already submitted a notice on the Kasturirangan report and would strongly raise the issue in the Assembly.
–IANS
mka/skp
