Give Notice, Debate Nagendra Issue in House Instead of Simply Demanding Resignation: Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar
Bengaluru, August 21: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday criticised the Opposition for demanding Minister Nagendra’s resignation without giving notice for a debate, saying such a demand would have meaning if the Opposition presented its reasons and discussed the issue in the legislature.
Speaking in the Legislative Council, Shivakumar said the government had no objection to protests by the Opposition in a democratic system, but argued that members holding constitutional positions should follow legislative procedures and engage in a proper discussion.
Shivakumar recalled that when he was party president, he had approached Nagendra and obtained his resignation to facilitate an investigation. He said the government subsequently conducted an investigation and questioned why the Opposition was now again seeking Nagendra’s resignation without initiating a debate through due notice.
The Chief Minister asked the Opposition to place before the House the information it had gathered and details it had received from the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and SIT. He said these matters should be presented in the legislature so that the public could know the basis of the allegations.
Shivakumar said the government was prepared to devote an entire day, or even two days, to discussing the issue if the Opposition gave notice. He offered to respond to the Opposition’s questions, doubts and concerns during such a debate.
He also said he was prepared to explain why Nagendra had been inducted into the Cabinet. If the Opposition remained dissatisfied after the discussion, it was free to continue its protest, he added.
Shivakumar objected to allegations being made without a legislative debate, including claims that Nagendra was corrupt, that money had reached Rahul Gandhi’s residence and that his government was corrupt. He questioned whether such accusations were appropriate without first discussing the evidence in the House.
Calling on BJP members to give notice and participate in a debate, Shivakumar said he was also prepared to discuss cases involving Union and state ministers and how investigations in those matters had proceeded.
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