The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a protest against the Congress government over its alleged hypocritical stand on women on the second day of the Monsoon Session at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
The protest was led by BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. A few women lawmakers also took part in the demonstration, holding placards to protest the government's failure to grant a ministerial berth to a woman.
Former Minister Shashikala Jolle, who took part in the protest, said, “In Parliament, Congress pretends as if it is supportive of women, but in the state, it has not even given women their legitimate share.” She alleged that ministerial berths were being handed out in exchange for payments.
The protest started near the Bhuvaneshwari statue at Vidhana Soudha and ended at the Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue near Vidhana Soudha, hours before the session began.
The BJP is expected to take up several issues in the Assembly, including the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project at Bidadi and the proposed bill against the use of government facilities by organisations in Karnataka. BJP leaders have alleged that the bill targets RSS Shakhas held on government school grounds.
The second day of the session will also see the election of the new Speaker of the Assembly and Chairman of the Legislative Council. The BJP has also accused the Congress of using constitutional posts for political gains after Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti was forced to resign last week to make way for Congress leader Salim Ahmed.
The demonstration near the legislature comes at a time when Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is facing his first Monsoon Session as Chief Minister. The BJP has indicated that it intends to intensify its attack on the government during the session and demand answers on issues it has identified as matters of public concern.
