Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Karnataka Assembly Row Erupts Over Anant Nag Felicitation
Veteran actor Anant Nag was supposed to be congratulated in the Karnataka Assembly for receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Opposition Leader R. Ashoka complained that too few ministers were present.
He used the phrase “payment ministers,” which angered members of the ruling Congress party.
Congress legislators asked him to prove the allegation or withdraw the words.
They also said the phrase should be removed from the official record.
The argument became heated between the two sides.
Speaker G. S. Patil paused the Assembly for 10 minutes.
The government also discussed keeping the session open for longer.
Opposition Leader R. Ashoka criticized ministers’ absence during a proposed felicitation for actor Anant Nag.
Ashoka referred to “payment ministers,” prompting Congress legislators to demand that the phrase be withdrawn.
The dispute followed BJP MLA Suresh Kumar’s remarks about the Assembly’s lack of quorum and an “empty” House.
Congress members challenged Ashoka to substantiate the allegation and sought to expunge his remarks from the record.
Speaker G. S. Patil adjourned proceedings for 10 minutes as the government considered extending the session.
- Who
- Opposition Leader R. Ashoka, Congress legislators, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Speaker G. S. Patil, and other Karnataka Assembly members.
- What
- A dispute broke out over ministers’ absence during a proposed felicitation for Anant Nag after he received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
- When
- During the Karnataka Legislative Assembly session described in the reports; no specific date was provided.
- Where
- The Karnataka Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru.
- Why
- Ashoka argued that Anant Nag should be honored in a fuller House, while Congress members objected to his reference to “payment ministers” and demanded its withdrawal or substantiation.
Congress and Ruling Members
Opposition and BJP Members
“Payment ministers” remark
Congress and Ruling Members
Congress legislators said the allegation should be substantiated or removed from the Assembly record, and Konareddy claimed the practice originated during the BJP’s tenure.
Opposition and BJP Members
R. Ashoka used the phrase to criticize ministers who were absent from the House and maintained that sufficient ministerial presence was needed for the felicitation.
Felicitation proceedings
Congress and Ruling Members
Minister Krishna Byre Gowda suggested beginning the felicitation proceedings despite the dispute over attendance.
Opposition and BJP Members
Ashoka argued that Anant Nag should not be felicitated in an almost empty House and said at least six or seven ministers should be present.
Session extension
Congress and Ruling Members
The government considered extending the Assembly session until Thursday, with Krishna Byre Gowda asking the Speaker to decide.
Opposition and BJP Members
Ashoka supported extending the session further, saying it would be better to continue until Friday.
- Award recipient
- Veteran actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
- Initial objection
- R. Ashoka criticized the absence of ministers during the proposed felicitation.
- Contested phrase
- Ashoka referred to some ministers as “payment ministers.”
- Congress response
- Congress legislators demanded that Ashoka withdraw or substantiate the allegation and sought removal of the phrase from the record.
- Adjournment
- Speaker G. S. Patil adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes.
- Session extension
- Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the government was considering extending the session until Thursday; Ashoka supported continuing it until Friday.