Karnataka govt faces litmus test in Assembly’s monsoon session

Bengaluru
The Karnataka government confronts a crucial challenge as the Monsoon Session of the Assembly began on Monday. The Opposition BJP staged a protest outside the state legislature, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The Opposition also rejected the appointment of a single-member commission to investigate irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), allegedly involving CM Siddaramaiah. Additionally, BJP leaders are calling for the CM’s resignation over the alleged tribal board scam.
Sessions in both legislative houses are expected to be tumultuous as CM Siddaramaiah asserts that he is being targeted because he belongs to the Backward Class and has achieved the CM’s post twice. He maintains that the allegations and protests are politically motivated.
Sources indicate that Siddaramaiah’s camp has formulated a strategy to counter attacks from BJP and JD(S) leaders in the House. Conversely, the BJP and JD(S) are prepared to oppose Siddaramaiah throughout the session.
This session marks the first time CM Siddaramaiah has faced such severe corruption allegations against him and his family in his political career. The BJP-JD(S) alliance, encouraged by their victory in the Lok Sabha elections, has planned to intensify their attacks on the ruling Congress. The Monsoon Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly is scheduled to continue until July 26.
Artificial Intelligence-enabled cameras with facial recognition technology have now been installed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly that will record arrival and exit time of members, as well as the duration of their presence in the House.
KGF Congress MLA Roopakala Shashidhar was the first legislator to be recorded by the cameras on arrival at the Assembly for the monsoon session, which began today as the new system became operational.
The first MLA to be captured exiting was Tiptur’s Shadakshari of Congress.
Speaker U T Khader noted that there is a practice of recognising MLAs who come early to the Assembly before the quorum bells are rung and their names are read out in appreciation by the Chair.