The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka has accused Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader of deliberately delaying the administration of oath to newly elected MLA M.P. Jeevaraj, representing the Hoskote constituency. The BJP alleges this delay is obstructing Jeevaraj from participating in the ongoing Assembly session and influencing the upcoming floor test scheduled for July 17th and 18th.
The party claims Speaker Khader has not responded to repeated requests to schedule the oath-taking ceremony, despite Jeevaraj’s election being confirmed by the High Court. They view this as a partisan move intended to weaken the opposition’s strength in the Assembly.
Consequently, a BJP delegation led by former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, urging him to intervene and directly administer the oath to Jeevaraj. They argue that the Governor’s intervention is necessary to uphold democratic principles and ensure Jeevaraj can represent his constituents. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor outlining their concerns and requesting immediate action.
The BJP contends that the delay is a violation of the Constitution and a disregard for the mandate given by the people of Hoskote. They emphasize the importance of Jeevaraj’s participation in the floor test, asserting that every elected representative has the right to voice their opinion and contribute to the proceedings.
Speaker Khader has responded to the allegations, stating that he is bound by procedures and is awaiting legal advice regarding the matter. He clarified that the delay isn’t intentional and is due to the complexities surrounding the election petition and related legal issues. He maintains he is acting impartially and will follow the appropriate course of action once he receives legal clarity.
The situation has escalated political tensions in Karnataka, with the BJP accusing the Congress-led government and the Speaker of attempting to manipulate the Assembly’s composition ahead of the crucial floor test. The outcome of the Governor’s consideration of the BJP’s request remains to be seen.
