2 weeks ago
Karnataka BJP boycotts Assembly Speaker poll, fields Council chief candidate
In the Indian state of Karnataka, there is a group of elected leaders called the Assembly who help make laws.
One of the leaders of the Assembly is called the Speaker, who acts like a referee to keep meetings fair.
The Congress party is the ruling party in the state.
The biggest opposition party is called the BJP.
The BJP says the Congress party is trying to choose the Speaker by itself instead of letting all the elected members vote.
The BJP thinks this is not fair and not democratic.
To show they are upset, the BJP said it will not take part in the vote for Speaker.
The BJP and its friend party, the JD(S), still chose someone to lead another group called the Legislative Council.
The BJP leaders called Congress's action wrong and said it takes away the power of the House.
Karnataka's Opposition BJP announced it will boycott the election for the Karnataka Assembly Speaker post.
The BJP and JD(S) nominated a candidate for the Legislative Council chairperson post despite lacking the numbers in the Upper House.
Both the Speaker and Legislative Council chairperson elections are scheduled to be held on Friday.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said the boycott is because the Congress high command announced the Speaker's name in a letter.
Ashoka called the Congress move unconstitutional and anti-democratic, accusing it of usurping the House's sovereignty.
- Who
- The Opposition BJP in Karnataka, led by Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, along with ally JD(S), and the Congress high command.
- What
- The BJP announced a boycott of the Karnataka Assembly Speaker election and nominated a candidate for the Legislative Council chairperson post.
- Where
- Karnataka, India, in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council (Upper House).
- When
- The announcement was made on Thursday, and both elections are scheduled for Friday.
- Why
- Because the Congress high command announced the Speaker's name on its letterhead, which the BJP called unconstitutional and anti-democratic.
Key facts
- State
- Karnataka, India
- Boycotting party
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Coalition partner
- Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S))
- Elections
- Karnataka Assembly Speaker and Legislative Council Chairperson
- Poll schedule
- Both elections on Friday
- Leader of the Opposition
- R Ashoka
- Reason for boycott
- Congress high command announced the Speaker's name on its letterhead
Quotes
R Ashoka
Leader of the Opposition, Karnataka BJP
“"The House has sovereignty and the MLAs have the right. But the Congress party has unconstitutionally mentioned the name of the Speaker to be selected on its letterhead. The fake Gandhi family of Delhi has usurped the sovereignty of the House. A new tradition of announcing the Speaker’s name on the party list has been started. Even though the Speaker should be elected by the House, he has been elected by the party itself. This is an anti‑democratic policy."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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