Cong accuses Govt of turning Karnataka into a police State

Bengaluru: Accusing the ruling BJP of turning Karnataka into a ‘police State’ by filing false cases against political opponents and those opposing its “divisive politics”, the Opposition Congress on Tuesday walked out of the Assembly as the Speaker did not accept their demand for an immediate discussion on the issue.

Making a preliminary submission to the Chair to allow his adjournment motion on the “collapse” of law and order in the state, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Siddaramaiah charged the Government with having a “demon instinct” in suppressing opponents.

After hearing his preliminary submission, Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri ruled that a discussion will be held on the topic at 3 PM on Wednesday, but under a different rule.

However, Congress legislators insisted that the discussion be allowed immediately as otherwise, it would dilute the issue. As the Chair did not concede their demand, they staged a walkout, threatening to boycott proceedings.

During his preliminary submission, Siddaramaiah alleged that the law and order in the state had completely collapsed as the government has failed to manage it.

Siddaramaiah pointed out that the Governor’s address to the joint sitting of the state legislature on Monday did not mention the state-wide anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests and the one in which two people died in Mangaluru in December. By discussing the issue, “it is our duty to instill confidence among the affected people as we have come here with their mandate, representing them”, he said

Stating that anti CAA and NRC protests have been taking place across the country, Siddaramaiah said opposing and expressing opinion against government polices and laws is the “essence of democracy”.