Bengaluru, Karnataka – Karnataka BJP Chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa has strongly condemned the recent suspension of 18 BJP MLAs by the state assembly Speaker, calling the decision “illegal, unconstitutional, unilateral, and arbitrary.” Yediyurappa’s remarks came after the Speaker’s action, which has sparked significant political controversy.
The suspended MLAs were penalized following their protests over various issues, with Yediyurappa questioning the Speaker’s motives. “Yesterday, the Speaker suspended 18 BJP MLAs for 6 months – a completely illegal, unconstitutional, unilateral, and arbitrary decision,” Yediyurappa said, adding that the rationale behind the suspension was unclear. He accused the Speaker of acting without proper justification or transparency.
Yediyurappa further linked the suspension to broader political tensions, particularly focusing on the state government’s policies. He alleged that the decision to suspend the BJP MLAs was a response to the BJP’s vocal opposition to the Congress-led government’s policies, especially regarding reservations. “The tragedy is that for what reason did the Speaker decide to suspend 18? The Finance Minister, who is also the Chief Minister, said that he would give 4% reservation to Muslims,” Yediyurappa pointed out, referring to the controversial reservation decision made by the Karnataka government, which has ignited debates around communal reservations.
The BJP leader also accused the Congress government of undermining the interests of Hindus, claiming that the Budget presented by the Chief Minister insulted the Hindu community. “Hindus have been insulted in the Budget. The Congress government has been following an anti-Hindu policy,” he said, echoing the BJP’s long-standing criticism of Congress for its handling of religious and cultural issues in the state.
Yediyurappa reiterated that the BJP had raised concerns regarding these issues in the legislative assembly, but claimed their voices had been silenced by the suspension. “We have also raised this in the House. The suspension of our MLAs is illegal,” he asserted.
The BJP Chief also criticized the Chief Minister, accusing him of misusing the name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. “The Chief Minister is teaching us a lesson about the Constitution, and he is repeatedly misusing the name of Ambedkar,” Yediyurappa added, suggesting that the Congress was distorting the Constitution’s principles for its own political gain.
Yediyurappa also mentioned an incident where Congress members allegedly disrupted the assembly proceedings, with Congress members removing their chairs when Deputy Speaker Dharmegowda was present, further fueling the tension between the BJP and Congress in the state.
The suspension of the 18 BJP MLAs has set the stage for further political drama in Karnataka, with the opposition accusing the Congress government of overstepping its authority and suppressing dissent. With the BJP already mobilizing its base and escalating the issue, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days, and whether the Speaker’s decision will be challenged in court.
