Not ‘special’ but extended Monsoon Session, admits Karnataka government

The ruling Congress government on Monday admitted that describing the three-day proceedings of the Karnataka Legislature as a “special session” was a mistake and clarified that they should instead be treated as a “special discussion” as part of the extended Monsoon Session.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byre Gowda made the clarification in the Legislative Assembly after Opposition BJP members questioned the procedural basis for convening a separate “special session”.

Mr. Gowda said the House had not been convened as a separate session but as an extension of the Monsoon Session. The clarification came amid a heated debate over House rules and a debate related to the Kasturirangan report and its implications for farmers and residents of the Western Ghats.

The Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die on August 24, ahead of the originally scheduled August 27 conclusion, after disruptions by the BJP seeking the resignation of B. Nagendra from the Ministry.

At the outset, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok and BJP member V. Sunil Kumar sought to know under which rule the government had described the proceedings as a “special session”. Mr. Ashok also sought to move an adjournment motion on the Kasturirangan report, but Mr. Gowda said the issue was already part of the agenda and did not require an adjournment motion.

BJP members later objected to Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre participating in the debate, arguing that allowing a Minister to speak on the issue could set a new precedent.

Following the Opposition’s objections, Speaker G.S. Patil asked Gopalakrishna Belur, Congress MLA, to initiate the discussion.