K’taka Oppn continues dharna; Govt moves ahead with biz

The Congress and JD(S) members objected to transaction of business when they are on dharna.

Targeting the BJP government on corruption,the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly continued their dharna for the second day today,but the ruling party managed to push through some business including election of N Yogish Bhat as Deputy Speaker.

Amid protests,the Speaker K G Bopaiah went ahead with the motion of electing BJP nominee as his deputy,ignoring objections from the Opposition and declared ‘unanimous’ election of Bhat by voice-vote.

The Congress and JD(S) members objected to transaction of business when they are on dharna that was launched yesterday,demanding discussion on corruption charges under adjournment motion and Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s resignation.

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Unfazed by the protest,the government presented reports of various departments and committees,and tabled the second instalment of supplementary estimates.

“In Lok Sabha no business was taken up when BJP staged dharna over 2G Spectrum row. This is improper. You cannot do this”,Congress leader Siddaramaiah said.

Earlier in the day,the government placed on the floor the written answers and Yeddyurappa,the second instalment of the Supplementary Estimates seeking approval for Rs 5,060.41 crore additional expenditure incurred by the government.

Even as opposition members shouted slogans against the BJP government with Siddaramaiah saying “this is a tainted government. Yeddyurappa government should resign”,BJP member Siddu Savadi moved a motion to thank the Governor for his address to the joint sitting.

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“We will not relent on our demand. Either the government accept our demand or resign”,Siddaramaiah said.

The Deputy Speaker Bhat later adjourned the House to tomorrow.