Karnataka Speaker Revokes Suspension of 18 BJP MLAs After Two Months
The decision was announced by the Karnataka Speaker after a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Sunday announced the revocation of the suspension of 18 BJP legislators, more than two months after they were barred from the House for “indiscipline” and “disrespecting” the Speaker. The decision came following a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil.
The MLAs were originally suspended on March 21 for six months after a heated protest in the Assembly, during which several of them climbed onto the Speaker’s podium and disrupted proceedings over the issue of a 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts and a demand for a judicial probe into an alleged “honey-trap” attempt involving Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna. Marshals were forced to evict them after they refused to leave the chamber.
Announcing the revocation, Speaker Khader said, “Although I had proposed the suspension, it was approved by the House. Today, after a constructive discussion with the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, Law Minister, and the Leader of Opposition, the decision has been made to lift the suspension without any conditions.”
Khader emphasized that the action had been taken to maintain the dignity of the Assembly but added, “These legislators are not our enemies; what happened was in the heat of the moment. I am confident such incidents will not happen again. With that faith, I have revoked the suspension.”
He also noted that the legislators had expressed regret over their actions and were aware of the consequences, including missing committee meetings and official tours. The revocation will be formally ratified in the next session of the Assembly.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka had reportedly reached out multiple times to the Speaker, expressing regret and requesting reconsideration. “He also spoke to the Chief Minister and the Law Minister, and even Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, as well as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, reached out with similar appeals,” Khader said.
Governor Gehlot had earlier written to both the Chief Minister and the Speaker urging a positive reconsideration of the suspension.
The suspended MLAs included prominent names like former Deputy CM C N Ashwath Narayan, BJP Chief Whip Doddanagouda Patil, S R Vishwanath, Yashpal Suvarna, Muniratna, and others.
When asked if the decision was influenced by legal concerns or political pressure, the Speaker dismissed the speculation, stating, “There’s no need to discuss such things. The Speaker has his powers, and no one has gone to court in the last two months.”
Responding to suggestions that the upcoming Assembly session or the Governor’s letter may have prompted the decision, Khader said, “Suggestions can be made, but no one can interfere directly in the Speaker’s decisions. I have taken the suggestions positively.”
Following the announcement, Ashoka took to X (formerly Twitter) to thank the Speaker and party members for their patience and perseverance. “I congratulate all 18 MLAs and party leaders who maintained discipline during this two-month struggle to restore our rights,” he posted.
With the suspension lifted, all 18 BJP MLAs are set to resume their duties in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly
