Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition R Ashoka has accused the Congress government of curtailing the Assembly session out of fear of facing questions from the Opposition and demanded the withdrawal of bills passed without adequate discussion.
Addressing a press conference, Ashoka said the session, originally scheduled for June, was delayed due to alleged differences within the state Cabinet. He criticised the government for ending the session three days ahead of schedule.
Ashoka alleged that the session was curtailed to protect Minister B Nagendra over allegations related to the Valmiki Development Corporation case. He claimed that during the previous BJP government, Assembly proceedings continued even when ministers facing allegations had resigned.
The BJP was prepared with documents to raise several issues, including drought, alleged irregularities in NICE toll collection, KPSC recruitment, Bengaluru’s garbage tender, the tunnel road project and reduction in ration cards, he said.
Ashoka also strongly opposed the bill allowing 5% of public park land to be used for other purposes. He said parks were public assets and alleged that the government was putting Bengaluru’s green spaces, including areas around Lalbagh, at risk.
He also alleged that a proposal was being considered to construct an outlet near Sankey Tank and recalled the Supreme Court’s earlier observations regarding the leasing of park land.
Ashoka announced that the BJP would organise protests in parks across Karnataka demanding protection of public green spaces and urged the government to withdraw the controversial provisions.
