Why should there be an inquiry committee: Karnataka CM

The storm over the three ministers who were caught watching a pornographic video clip during the Legislative Assembly proceedings is unlikely to die down soon. The three Karnataka Ministers,  Lakshman Savadi, CC Patil and Krishna Palemar had at first defended themselves saying they were actually searching for the meaning of the word ‘rave party’. The three later offered to resign over the porn scandal and their resignations were accepted by the speaker. Currently the three have been barred by Speaker K G Bopaiah from attending proceedings of the Assembly till a House inquiry committee submits report on 12 March. The Karnataka chief Minister has meanwhile come out in support of the three ministers who according to him showed model conduct by at least offering to resign. DNA quoted the Karnataka CM D V Sadananda Gowda as saying “I am happy that the accused ministers submitted resignation to keep the dignity of the house intact. They have set a very good tradition and set a standard for democratic proceedings.” He also questioned why the need for any committee inquiry. According to PTI he said, “They (the three) have admitted (to watching the clips). Please disqualify them”. [caption id=“attachment_208029” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Ministers Lakshman Savadi, Krishna Palemar, who’ve now resigned. PTI”]  [/caption]

 In his ruling, Bopaiah asked the three to give an explanation by 12 February and their reply would be placed before the proposed six-member inquiry committee, comprising two members each from BJP, Congress and JDS.

Till then, the three are barred from attending the Assembly, Bopaiah said in his order as the unsavoury episode rocked the House and evoked an outrage across the state. Not satisfied with the Speaker’s decision, Leader of Congress Opposition Siddaramaiah said his party would boycott the committee, as the party pushed for the disqualification of the disgraced former ministers. Siddaramaiah said earlier after Chief Minister proposed to the Speaker to form a House committee. Amid a surcharged atmosphere, Congress and JDS members staged a dharna, making a vociferous demand for the immediate suspension and disqualification of the three. After giving his ruling, the Speaker adjourned the House sine die, cutting short the session by two days as it’s originally scheduled to go on till 10 February . Sadananda Gowda also charged the opposition with trying to convert it into a “prestige and political issue” and, citing a precedent in Lok Sabha, said no discussion be allowed on the subject as he mooted constitution of a House committee. The House was adjourned twice as it witnessed noisy scenes with the opposition making a determined bid to push its case while BJP members sought to blunt it, telling the Speaker that proceedings should be held only under rules. With inputs from PTI