Members of the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] and the Congress party engaged in a heated exchange in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday regarding the distress faced by copra farmers.
During the zero hour, K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, the MLA from Arsikere, sought to address the difficulties experienced by coconut farmers following a significant drop in copra prices. Concurrently, JD(S) leader H.D. Revanna also requested permission from the Chair to speak on the same issue.
As the situation escalated, JD(S) members moved to the Well of the House, demanding to address the matter first. However, Speaker U.T. Khader pointed out that Mr. Gowda had submitted his request to speak the previous day, while the JD(S) had brought their request only 15 minutes prior.
The insistence of the JD(S) led to a verbal clash between Mr. Gowda and the JD(S) members, which soon involved additional Congress members, resulting in considerable disruption in the assembly. It is notable that Mr. Gowda had left the JD(S) before the last Assembly elections to join the Congress.
Amid the chaos, the Speaker adjourned the assembly for lunch due to the uproar. Later, Mr. Revanna informed reporters that the JD(S) aimed to hold the Congress and Minister D.K. Shivakumar accountable for their commitment to pay ₹15,000 per quintal of copra. In contrast, Mr. Gowda’s intention was to direct criticism toward the central government for its neglect of copra farmers, according to Revanna.
