BJP, Congress clash over MLA suspensions and honeytrap controversy

The Karnataka BJP has criticised the Congress-led state government for suspending 18 MLAs from the Assembly for six months. The MLAs were suspended on grounds of alleged indiscipline and violations of House rules.

On Friday, the suspended legislators were protesting the Muslim quota bill, which grants a four percent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, a move introduced by the Congress government. In response, BJP MLAs submitted a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, urging him to reject the reservation.

In the Karnataka Legislative Assembly session today, Cooperative Minister KN Rajanna alleged that around 48 politicians, including central figures, were subject to a honey-trapping ruse.

The BJP and its state president B Y Vijayendra condemned the suspensions, calling the decision undemocratic and unjust.

Alongside, former Karnataka CM and MP Basavaraj Bommai said the Honeytrap case has tarnished Karnataka’s image nationally and urged Siddaramaiah to resign from his post. Speaking to the media in New Delhi, he accused the Congress party of leading the administration into moral decline due to its greed for power. “Wherever we look, there are scams. This is evident in the legislative assembly as well. Until now, the state was dealing with a money crisis, but now a ‘honey crisis’ has begun.”

Bommai also said the state government is bankrupt both financially and morally. “A cabinet minister himself has claimed in the assembly that an attempt was made to honeytrap him. Even after 15 days of discussions in the assembly, the Chief Minister has remained silent. This government has lost all moral standing and is nothing less than a criminal cabinet,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that a high-level probe would be conducted following Co-operation Minister K N Rajanna’s complaint.

Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, “BJP is a cultureless party, and they don’t know how to behave in the House. They are goondas and it is a matter of shame. I have been in the Legislative Assembly for 36 years but have never seen such behaviour.”

Addressing the honey-trap claims, he said actions can be taken only if somebody complains.

“A woman had filed a complaint that a BJP man had assaulted her in Vidhana Soudha and the case is in the Court. Why did the Bombay Boys from the BJP bring an injunction,” he questioned.

Responding to BJP MLA Munirathna’s allegation that DK Shivakumar was behind the honeytrap, he said, “The police complaint against him has all the details of what he has done in Vidhana Soudha. The BJP party members are talking about what happened to R Ashok and Yediyurappa. As you sow, so you reap. The people who do honeytrap don’t come to you simply. They only move when you make moves. What can they do if you don’t respond?”

Among those suspended include Doddanagouda H Patil, C N Ashwath Narayan, S R Vishwanath, B A Basavaraj, M R Patil, Channabasappa (Channi), B Suresh Gowda, Umanath Kotyan, Sharanu Salagar, Shailendra Beldale, C K Ramamurthy, Yashpal Suvarna, Harish B P, Bharath Shetty, Munirathna Basavaraj Mattimud, Dheeraj Muniraj, and Chandru Lamani.