Bengaluru, July 25, 2024 – In a dramatic display of dissent, BJP and JD(S) MLAs staged a sleep-in protest inside the Karnataka Assembly overnight, demanding a detailed discussion on the alleged fraudulent allotment of sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife. This trend of ‘slumber politics,’ initiated by the BJP in 2016, has become a prominent form of protest in Karnataka.
Protest Details: The BJP and JD(S) legislators dressed in nightwear and brought their bedding into the House, laying on the green carpet inside the Legislature Assembly Hall to continue their overnight protest against the Siddaramaiah government. They allege that the ruling Congress government is dodging the Rs 180 crore Valmiki Corporation illegal money transfer issue in the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Assembly.
Protest Activities: Videos posted by social media handles of the BJP and JD(S) showed the MLAs sitting, chatting, or sleeping in the Well of the House. Some were carrying placards and shouting slogans. Having arranged dinner comprising rice, sambar, curd, and a chicken and mutton dish, the legislators ate within the premises and continued to spend their time singing songs condemning the Siddaramaiah rule.
“This is going to be an ongoing protest. We will continue these overnight protests until the Congress debates the scams that have been taking place during their governance and it is brought to a logical end,” said Leader of Opposition R Ashok to News18.
Historical Context of Sleep-In Protests: The Karnataka Assembly first saw a sleep-in protest in 2016 during Siddaramaiah’s first term as Chief Minister. The BJP at the time sought a proper investigation or CBI probe into the suicide of police officer SP Ganapathy, who had allegedly named state minister KJ George in a video before his death.
In 2019, the BJP resorted to an overnight protest inside the Assembly against the delay in the floor test of then Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy after 18 lawmakers resigned and withdrew their support from the JDS-Congress coalition government.
In 2022, the Congress joined the trend, demanding the resignation of then BJP minister KS Eshwarappa for his controversial remarks about the national flag.
Current Allegations: The latest protest by the BJP and JD(S) centers around the alleged fraudulent allotment of plots by MUDA involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife. The opposition has accused the Congress government of avoiding discussions on this issue and other alleged scams.
LoP R Ashok stated, “When the BJP brought an adjournment motion regarding the alleged Rs 4,000 crore loot in the MUDA scam, the government was scared and was running away from discussion. They have passed key bills including the finance bill without discussion. This is a government of cowards; they don’t have the courage to respond to MUDA allegations in the House. If they have any shame or self-esteem, they should allow the debate.”
For more updates on this developing story, visit Sarhind Times.
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