Karnataka: Assembly session tough test for BJP

BANGALORE: The 12-day session of both Houses of the Karnataka Legislature, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, is expected to witness some stormy scenes as the Opposition Congress and JD(S) are likely to pin down the ruling BJP government on various issues, including appointment of the Lokayukta and the prevailing drought situations in over 100 taluks in the state.The session is also an acid test for Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who is facing the House for the first time after assuming office in August this year.The combined Opposition, who number over 100 in the 225-member House, are determined to get answers from the ruling party on several issues.The ruling party will be pushed to the wall on the issue of several of its ministers facing criminal charges, including Home Minister R Ashok, Housing Minister Somanna and Industries Minister Ashok Nirani and others. It is also likely to face the heat on issues relating to illegal denotification of prime lands in and around Bangalore and its failure to take action on the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.The issue of a no-confidence motion served against Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah is also likely to rock the session. The winter session will also witness former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s ‘demotion’ to the backseat in the treasury benches, while former BJP minister B Sriramulu, who claimed victory in the byelection, will switch over to the Opposition side. The Congress, led by Siddaramaiah, is expected to move an adjournment motion against the government on its failure to take up drought-relief works in the affected areas.