Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP) 

Bengaluru, Jul 24: Assembly Speaker, K R Ramesh Kumar, reserved his ruling on the disqualification plea on the dissident legislators who have resigned from their memberships of the assembly. Leader of the Congress legislature party, Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dinesh Gundu Rao, had filed application seeking their disqualification. 

The speaker had served notice on the MLAs seeking their personal presence, but they have requested four weeks time. Former MP, V S Ugrappa, presented arguments on behalf of the Congress before the Speaker. The rebel MLAs were represented by six advocates from a team of senior advocate, Ashok Harnahalli, who stoutly presented counter arguments. 

The advocates representing the rebel legislators said that whip was issued to the legislators after they reigned, to bring pressure on them. They said that as the legislators have voluntarily resigned, disqualification does not apply to them. They sought time for the MLAs to present themselves for the hearing by the Speaker. 

Ugrappa pointed out that whip had been served on MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumthalli during February last. He said that whip was issued to 11 legislators before they resigned and that the legislators had resigned to escape from the whip. Therefore he urged for disqualifying them. 

Assembly Speaker, Ramesh Kumar, who listened to arguments and counter arguments presented before him for two hours, reserved his ruling. Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundu Rao were present. 

A delegation led by BJP MLA, Madhuswamy, also visited the Speaker's office and listened to the proceedings.