Bengaluru: Mar 21: BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra has condemned the recent decision of the Speaker to suspend 18 BJP MLAs, calling it an anti-democratic move. Speaking to the media, Vijayendra claimed that the Speaker’s actions were unjust and questioned the Speaker’s impartiality in the matter.
Vijayendra recounted an incident where Rajanna, a senior minister of the ruling party, allegedly hugged him inside the House. He claimed that this was part of a “honeytrap” involving over 48 politicians from both the state and the country. He asserted that the Chief Minister, as the leader of the House, had the duty to protect the ministers, and similarly, the Speaker should have ensured the safety of the MLAs.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the Speaker’s actions, stating that if opposition members fight for the protection of ministers, they should not be punished by being “thrown out by the throat.” According to Vijayendra, the Chief Minister failed in his duty to protect the ministers and MLAs, especially those from Dalit and Scheduled Tribes communities. He also reminded the public of a past incident when Muslim mobs allegedly set fire to the house of Dalit MLA Akhand Srinivasamurthy, and the Chief Minister did nothing to intervene.
Vijayendra criticized the Chief Minister for not coming to the defense of the ruling party’s ministers, accusing him of prioritizing one community over others. He challenged the Chief Minister to reveal the names of the ministers involved in the honey trap and called for an investigation.
The BJP leader also condemned the Congress party for allegedly auctioning the respect of Dalit and Scheduled Tribe ministers and for dividing the state along religious lines. He concluded by announcing that the BJP-JDS alliance would meet the Governor to address this issue and demand accountability.
