K’taka: Major embarrassment for BJP govt as Opposition defeats bill

When Speaker Bopaiah wanted to put the bill to voice vote,opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah pressed for a division taking advantage of the thin attendance on the ruling side.

The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Second Amendment) 2011 bill was defeated with 33 members voting in its favour and 34 against it. JDS and four independents voted with Congress.

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda was not present then.

When Siddaramaiah demanded resignation of the government on moral grounds,Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai said “leave it sir,it is only an amendement bill”.

As Acharya moved the bill,Congress leader Siddaramaiah,his deputy T B Jayachandra and Dr H C Mahadevappa requested him and government not to push it through as they wanted a debate and suggested it be taken up in the next session.

Acharya said the proposed amendments are minor in nature and in view of the legislation having already got the nod of the Legislative Council,it should be passed today.