Congress Bows to Pressure? Karnataka Speaker Revokes BJP MLAs’ Suspension After Backlash.
Bengaluru — In what many are calling a climbdown under political pressure, Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader, a Congress leader, has revoked the controversial six-month suspension of 18 BJP MLAs—more than two months after silencing the opposition in the Assembly.
The decision, announced on Sunday, followed intense consultations with senior Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and Law Minister HK Patil, as well as Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka. The move comes amid growing public criticism, legal scrutiny, and even intervention from the Governor.
The suspended MLAs were punished in March for staging a protest against what they claimed were anti-democratic decisions and preferential treatment in government contracts—including a 4% Muslim quota in public procurement. Their protest, while dramatic, highlighted what BJP leaders say is a deterioration of democratic norms under Congress rule.
Speaker UT Khader claimed the suspension was lifted “without conditions”, despite earlier justifying it as a measure to “protect the dignity of the House.” Critics argue that the Congress was forced to backtrack after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and central BJP leaders raised serious concerns about the legality and partisan nature of the punishment.
“The incident happened in a fit of the moment,” Khader said—a statement BJP supporters interpret as a belated admission of overreach.
The MLAs, including senior leaders such as former Deputy CM C N Ashwath Narayan and BJP chief whip Doddanagouda Patil, were accused of “indiscipline” after they surrounded the Speaker’s podium and threw papers. BJP leaders called the suspension a politically motivated gag order, aimed at silencing dissent over explosive issues like the alleged honey-trap involving Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna.
Opposition leader R Ashoka welcomed the decision, praising the discipline and patience shown by the BJP MLAs, despite what he called a blatant misuse of Assembly power by the Congress.
The Speaker said the suspended members had expressed regret, though sources close to the BJP maintain that no formal apology was tendered, further suggesting that the Congress relented to avoid a potential legal embarrassment in court.
While the Speaker refused to admit that legal pressure played a role, political observers note that the revocation came shortly after rumors of a court challenge began to surface—hinting at a Congress attempt to save face before a judicial rebuke.
