Congress Member of Legislative Council V S Ugrappa's presence in the officers' gallery of the Legislative Assembly led to a ruckus and adjournment of the House twice today.
Opposition members who pointed out his presence in the Officers' Gallery to the Speaker also alleged that he was indulging in correspondence with members and ministers.
As the House was discussing the procedures to remove controversial Karnataka Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao, BJP member K G Bopaiah and others pointed out Ugrappa's presence in the officers' gallery and him indulging in correspondence with Congress members and ministers to the Speaker, and demanded that he be asked to go out immediately.
Reacting to this Speaker, Kagodu Thimmappa told Ugrappa "you should not sit here, please go out."
Congress MLAs, Ministers, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stood up to defend Ugrappa, as he continued to remain seated in the gallery.
After consulting Assembly Secretary and officials, the Speaker said Ugrappa has been given permission from his office to attend the House.
BJP and JD(S) members protesting this said, Ugrappa as an MLC can be allowed to witness the House proceedings from the press gallery, not from officers' gallery, and he cannot indulge in correspondence with Ministers and Members.
Opposition members entered the well of the House demanding Ugrappa's exit from the House and condemned him for disrespecting the Chair.
Intervening, Siddaramaiah said Members of Parliament and MLC's are allowed to sit in the officers' gallery and a board to this effect was displayed outside the gallery.
As opposition members continued with the protest, Speaker said he will inquire into to the matter and adjourned the House for ten minutes.
As the House resumed Thimmappa apologised to the House stating that there was a mistake from his end.
He said there is a board at the officers' gallery entrance stating MP's and MLC's can enter and also permission was given to Ugrappa from concerned officals, which he wasn't aware of.
Opposition members requesting Speaker not to apologise, demanded that Ugrappa go out. They also said he may sit in the press gallery.
Reacting to this, Thimmappa said he cannot forcefully vacate some one with permission, and that too when the person despite all the protest still wants to be in the House.
As some members demanded that Speaker take decision where MLC's and MP's be made to sit during the session, or he hold a meeting of floor leaders on this, Thimmappa called for a meeting, adjourning the House for one hour.
As the Hose resumed once again Speaker gave a ruling that MLC's and MP's can witness the proceedings of the House from the first row of the press gallery here on.
