A delegation of BJP leaders in Karnataka met Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader at his office in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru on Monday, formally requesting the revocation of the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs. The legislators were suspended last month for alleged misconduct and disruption of Assembly proceedings.
The suspension, which drew widespread attention, was enforced on March 21, when the 18 MLAs were penalized with six months suspension from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. The action followed a chaotic protest staged in the Well of the House, during which the legislators reportedly disrespected the Speaker’s Chair and threw torn copies of a Bill in his direction. The demonstration was related to the BJP’s demand for a judicial or CBI probe into an alleged honey trap incident involving Minister for Cooperation K.N. Rajanna. The Assembly witnessed repeated disruptions and adjournments that day, with the 18 members eventually removed by marshals as tensions escalated on the floor of the House.
BJP Appeals to Speaker for Reconsideration
After submitting the memorandum, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka addressed the media and defended the party’s actions, emphasizing that the protest was a political stance and not meant to personally target or insult the Speaker. “The incident that occurred inside the Legislative Assembly should have remained within the House,” Ashoka said. “Forming committees and suspending MLAs for six months is not a fair measure.”
He went on to add that similar protests had taken place in the past across different party lines and were handled with restraint. “It’s not that the BJP intended to insult the Chair. We were expressing our dissent over the CD case, which we considered serious. The protest reflected our party’s position, not a challenge to the Speaker’s authority,” Ashoka clarified.
Ashoka also appreciated the Speaker’s open-minded approach to their request. “The Speaker responded positively and assured us that he would examine the matter in consultation with the Law Minister. He said he wants the session to proceed smoothly and promised to discuss the issue with the government before making a final decision,” he noted. The BJP's appeal aims to restore the presence of its suspended members ahead of the continuation of the legislative session, especially as key discussions and legislative business are expected in the coming weeks.
In addition to addressing the suspension issue, R. Ashoka also commented on the shocking murder of former Karnataka DGP Om Prakash, who was found dead at his residence on Sunday. Expressing serious concern over the state’s law and order situation, Ashoka said, “Karnataka has witnessed a series of murders and rapes. Now even senior police officers are not safe. This incident has made national headlines and raises serious questions.” He strongly criticized the government for its perceived inaction and lack of control. “Regardless of the motive, the fact that such a gruesome incident could occur highlights how much fear of law enforcement has eroded. Criminals act as if there are no consequences,” he said.
An FIR has reportedly been filed against the former DGP’s wife and daughter, with police continuing the investigation. Ashoka urged the state administration to take swift and meaningful action. “The government must not make irresponsible statements. People are clueless about who is actually running the police department. The question now is—is the government even functioning?” he stated. The BJP has reiterated its demand for transparency, accountability, and prompt responses in both the suspension and law enforcement issues. With elections on the horizon and public confidence in state institutions being scrutinized, these matters are likely to remain central to Karnataka's political discourse in the weeks ahead.
