Speaker assures BJP and JD(S) a reply from CM on the controversial expensive watch
A day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah handed over his expensive wristwatch, which he had received as gift, to Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa for being kept in the Cabinet Hall as a State asset, the stalemate in both the Houses of the legislature ended on Thursday. The Opposition parties withdrew their protest and participated in the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address.
In the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker assured the leaders of the Opposition BJP and JD(S) that he would permit them to discuss the watch issue during the discussion on the Governor’s address. The Opposition was also assured of a reply from the Chief Minister on the controversial expensive watch.
Earlier, as soon as the Assembly met in the morning, Opposition members continued their protest seeking a detailed discussion on the watch issue. The Speaker appealed to members to withdraw the protest and enable the House to debate issues of public interest. Responding to this, the Opposition parties withdrew their protest.
Then, the Speaker asked K.R. Ramesh Kumar (Congress) to initiate discussion on the Governor’s address. During a two-hour-long speech, Mr. Kumar highlighted various problems confronting the State, particularly agrarian crisis. He stressed the need for introduction of electoral reforms to bring down election expenditure.
In the Council too, Opposition members participated in the debate on the Governor’s address.
