Uproar, protest by BJP legislators forces Karnataka assembly to adjourn

Uproar and protest by BJP legislators against the JD-S-Congress coalition government on Thursday forced the Karnataka legislature, comprising Assembly and Council, to adjourn. As soon as the Assembly and Council began on the second day of the 10-day Budget session, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators walked towards the Chairs of the Houses and shouted slogans against the ruling allies.

"Step down, step down. Chief Minister, step down!" the legislators screamed, alleging that the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S)-Congress coalition government was in power despite "not having majority". In the Assembly, Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar adjourned the proceedings till Friday as the BJP members continued their protest and refused to return to their seats to allow smooth conduct of the business listed for the day.

The Legislative Council was also adjourned till afternoon. "We are protesting because the JD-S-Congress coalition does not have the support of the majority. They do not have the moral right to present a new Budget under such circumstances," BJP state unit President B.S. Yeddyurappa told reporters outside the Assembly later.

His party, however, will not be moving a 'no-confidence' motion against the government, he said. The Budget session began on a stormy note on Wednesday amid BJP legislators' protests, forcing Governor Vajubhai Vala to cut short his address to a joint session.

(With inputs from agencies.)