Pandemonium in Karnataka Assembly over Chief Minister’s remarks on RSS

The Legislative Assembly witnessed acrimonious scenes on Monday over certain remarks made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS) during his reply to the motion of thanks to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s address to the State legislature.

The Legislative Assembly witnessed acrimonious scenes on Monday over certain remarks made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his reply to the motion of thanks to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s address to the State legislature.

Trouble began when the Chief Minister, while brushing aside the Opposition’s allegations that the law and order situation had collapsed, made certain remarks against the RSS and its role with respect to law and order.

This angered the BJP members who questioned the need and propriety of making such allegations against the RSS in the Assembly. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok remarked: “Let the Chief Minister say these things against the RSS in public if he has courage, instead of making such allegations within the shelter of House.”

BJP member C.N. Ashwath Narayan said it was not befitting of the dignity of the Chief Minister’s position to make such allegations.

The BJP members urged Shivalinge Gowda, who was officiating on behalf of the Speaker, to expunge the remarks. But he refused to do so on the grounds that they were not “unparliamentary”. When they urged the Chief Minister to withdraw them, he stood his ground firmly, saying that he had neither made any unparliamentary remarks nor did he say anything false.

Following this, the BJP members hurled wild allegations against the Congress central leaders. This angered the ruling members who shot back.

Several Ministers, including Priyank Kharge, led the charge from the Congress side against the BJP.