Bengaluru, 23 September (H.S.):Opposition members walked out of the Karnataka legislature on Wednesday after a heated exchange over a remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi disrupted a debate on drought and farm loan waivers.

The confrontation took place on the second day of a special session as Opposition leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy compared farm loan waiver measures under the former UPA government with those announced by the Modi government.

B.K. Hariprasad intervened, saying the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh had waived farmers’ loans. He then accused Modi of responsibility for the deaths of 800 farmers. Opposition members objected to the remark and accused ruling party members of derailing the discussion on the difficulties faced by drought-hit farmers.

BJP member C.T. Ravi condemned Hariprasad’s statement, while several party colleagues demanded that it be removed from the proceedings. Ministers Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Vijayanand Kashappanavar and Ajay Singh defended Hariprasad.

Speaker Salim Ahmed tried to restore order, saying he would examine the demand to remove the remarks. He assured members that any unparliamentary language would be expunged and urged them to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the House.

A further exchange followed when BJP member Keshav Prasad objected to the Speaker describing the disorder as resembling a “fish market”. He said ruling party members were being allowed to speak while the Opposition was expected to remain silent.

The dispute continued when Narayanaswamy raised the issue of payments through direct benefit transfer and Minister Santosh Lad sought a clarification. Opposition members alleged that repeated interruptions were preventing them from making their case.

Ravi questioned the purpose of convening a special session if members could not fully debate drought and farmers’ concerns. The Opposition then walked out in protest against the ruling party’s conduct, after which the Speaker adjourned proceedings briefly.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman