Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 4: Assembly speaker, K R Ramesh Kumar, turned livid at the absence of several ministers when the assembly session met after lunch break on Tuesday July 3. He noted that the ministers were served with notice of the meeting in advance, copy of the agenda, and were also personally invited. "The chief minister (CM) is here. Deputy chief minister (DCM) is here. Do these ministers think they have greater responsibility as compared to the chief minister and his deputy?" he  quipped angrily.

When the assembly met after the lunch break, opposition leaders pointed out to the speaker about vacant chairs in the space meant for ministers. Law and parliamentary affairs minister, Krishna Byre Gowda, asked the opposition to have patience, duly promising them that ministers are on their way. At this, the speaker got angry and expressed his impatience about the casual approach of the ministers towards the session.

BJP members, as soon as the post-lunch session met, noted that  the only minister present in the house was Krishna Byre Gowda and wondered what would be the fate of the remaining sessions, going by the fact that the chairs were empty on the very first day.

The speaker noted that advance information was given about the fact that the opposition leader would be speaking in the afternoon session. He said that when the opposition leader speaks, leader of the house should be invariably present inside the house. He assured that he would ensure that the dignity of the assembly is protected.

During these discussions, CM, H D Kumaraswamy, and DCM, Dr G Parameshwar, arrived. Krishna Byre Gowda told the opposition members that the CM and DCM had arrived and that other ministers would also come. At this, Ramesh Kumar got angry and retorted by questioning whether the ministers have more important work than those of the CM and DCM.