Karnataka Speaker suspends 18 BJP MLAs for misconduct
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader has defended his decision to suspend 18 BJP MLAs for six months. He took this action after the MLAs displayed what he called undemocratic conduct during a recent session. They approached the chair and disrupted the passage of the Finance Bill. Khader emphasized that the suspension is meant to make the MLAs reflect on their behavior, not to punish them. He stated that failure to address such misconduct in the past has led to repeated issues. If the MLAs continue to behave inappropriately, he warned that he could disqualify them from the assembly. The Speaker mentioned that he has the authority to take such actions and is prepared to face any criticism. He also noted that after the Chief Minister promised an investigation into allegations of 'honey trapping' of legislators, the MLAs still chose to disrupt the proceedings. Khader concluded by saying he will not engage with criticism over his decisions and trusts that the public will judge the situation.