Guv cuts short his address amid sloganeering from BJP members 

Opposition BJP in Karnataka on Wednesday disrupted Governor Vajubhai Vala’s address to the joint sitting of the state legislature here.

This is the first session after the cabinet expansion in December and political turmoil that engulfed the state following the alleged attempt by the BJP to topple the government by poaching disgruntled legislators of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition.

As soon as the governor started his customary address to the joint sitting, BJP members entered the Well of the House, asking him not to deliver the address.

“You are made to read lies, so please don’t read it,” BJP members said.

However, Vala continued with his speech, even as BJP members intensified their sloganeering.

“We don’t want a bundle of lies to be read. Down down… the government that has lost majority and trust,” they shouted.

As the BJP’s protest intensified, the governor said he is concluding his address, and it should be deemed as read. Vala read out the last paragraph of his speech.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who also holds the Finance portfolio, is scheduled to present his coalition governments second budget on February 8.

Condemning the protest staged by BJP members during the Governor’s address, former Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti said, “It is a black mark in the history of the state.”

Meanwhile, BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa said that they had not intended to disrupt the Governors’ speech.