The ruling coalition Government of JD (S) - BJP suffered another major shock when the “firebrand” BJP MLC Janardhan Reddy dropped another bombshell in the Legislative Council reiterating his allegation that the Chief Minister and the Forest Minister had received Rs. 150 crore as bribe from the Bellary mine owners.
This development was most unexpected for the Government, as the leaders had thought that his clarification recently had brought an end to the controversy.
Janardan Reddy, CM H. D. Kumaraswamy and Chennigappa
There was a debate on the issues pertaining to the privileges of MLCs when the opposition party members were coaxing Reddy also to participate in the debate when he was trying to make some statement.
While the ruling party members were trying to prevent him, the opposition members were urging the Chairman Sachchidanand Khot to allow him to speak. Reddy was on his feet amidst noisy scenes. Some opposition members were heard encouraging Reddy to speak only “half – a – minute”. [Bari ardha nimisha mathadi].
Some members urged the Chairman: "Sir, let him speak" [Sabhadhyakshare, avaru mathanadali bidi].
Amidst arguments and counter arguments, Reddy mentioned the name of Prof. B. K. Chandrashekhar (Congress) who had urged Reddy yesterday in the Council to make a statement about the Bellary scandal.
As Reddy referred to Prof. Chandrashekhar's speech yesterday, the Chairman intervened and asked Reddy not to mention about the bribe scandal as there was a different agenda before the Council.
The Chairman also tried to prevent him saying he cannot make a statement about his earlier statement made outside the House.
As Reddy went on to speak saying the reputation of MLCs had been damaged due to the controversy and the members had debated the issue for about 15 days.
At this juncture, the Chairman Khot was heard telling Reddy that he should take the Chair's permission to talk about the issue.
"I have not given you permission to raise the issue. You are not supposed to talk about it", the Chairman said.
Reddy, apparently angered over the attempts to prevent him, shouted: "The Chief Minister Kumaraswamy and Forest Minister are involved in collecting the bribe of Rs. 150 crore. There is no doubt" ("Mukhyamantri Kumaraswamy avaru, Chennigappa avaru 150 koti roopayi lancha thegedukolluvudaralli bhagiyagiddare. Idaralli yeradane mathe illa").
There was a din in the House as Reddy uttered these words and the Chairman adjourned the House sine die.
Courtesy: Star of Mysore
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