No ministers present to congratulate Anant Nag on receiving Phalke Award: LoP

Bengaluru: Opposition Leader R. Ashoka’s remark referring to “payment ministers” during a discussion in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on congratulating veteran actor Anant Nag for receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award triggered a heated exchange between the ruling Congress and Opposition members.

Raising the absence of ministers in the House, Ashoka said, “Let the payment ministers go wherever they want. Let the ministers who do not take payment come to the House.” His remarks drew strong objections from Congress legislators, who demanded that the word “payment” be withdrawn.

The issue arose when BJP MLA Suresh Kumar raised the question of quorum in the Assembly and remarked that the House was witnessing a “real drought.” Ashoka intervened and said the House should first ensure the presence of members before proceeding with the felicitation of Ananth Nag.

“We should felicitate Anant Nag. In fact, we should congratulate you for calling the session at the right time. But look around, the House is almost empty. Give Chief Whip Ashok Pattan the responsibility and ask everyone to come. Then let us felicitate Ananth Nag,” Ashoka said.

Minister Krishna Byre Gowda suggested that the felicitation proceedings should begin. Ashoka responded that Opposition members would leave if the felicitation was conducted without sufficient ministerial presence. “At least six or seven ministers should be present. Let the payment ministers remain outside,” he said.

Ashoka further argued that an honour should be accorded with due dignity and recalled that the venue was packed during a programme attended by the President of India. He questioned whether Ananth Nag should be felicitated in an almost empty House. Congress MLA Konareddy hit back at Ashoka, saying the practice of “payment ministers” had originated during the BJP’s tenure.

He challenged Ashoka to identify those who had allegedly made such payments. The exchange led to heated arguments between members of the ruling party and the Opposition. Several Congress legislators demanded that Ashoka either substantiate his allegation or have the reference to “payment ministers” removed from the Assembly records.

With the arguments escalating, Speaker G. S. Patil adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes. When the House reconvened, the issue continued to generate protests. Congress MLA Shadakshari urged the Speaker to expunge Ashoka’s remarks, saying that the Opposition Leader had alleged that “payment ministers” were outside the House. MLA Konareddy supported the demand, while other Congress members challenged Ashoka to substantiate his allegation.

Meanwhile, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the government was considering extending the Assembly session until Thursday and asked the Speaker to take a decision.

Ashoka supported the proposal and said it would be better if the session continued until Friday.