[Watch] Karnataka Assembly Passes 4% Quota Bill For Muslims In Public Contracts Amid Ruckus Over Honey-Trap Scam

Bengaluru: BJP leaders stormed the well of the Karnataka Assembly on Friday after it passed a contentious bill that proposes providing reservation to Muslims in contracts awarded by the state government. The Siddaramaiah government’s bill proposes a 4 per cent quota for the Muslim community in public contracts. The opposition BJP called the proposal “unconstitutional.” The saffron party has vowed to challenge it legally.

BJP leaders chanted slogans against the ruling Siddaramaiah government and were seen climbing up the Speaker’s seat. They also tore down the four per cent quota bill and hurled the papers at the Speaker. This comes amid the ruckus over alleged honey trap scam.

“Instead of discussing the honey trap scam, the Chief Minister was busy presenting the four per cent Muslim bill and hence we protested. The government MLAs also tore papers and threw books at us; we didn’t harm anybody,” BJP MLA Bharath Shetty said, as quoted by India Today.

However, Congress defended the reservation as a step toward ensuring social justice and economic opportunities for minorities. The BJP accused the Congress government of indulging in appeasement politics.

What’s the Karnataka honey-trap scam? What did Siddaramaiah say?

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted that this initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to inclusive development and affirmative action.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah also defended his government as chaos prevailed in the state assembly after the revelation of cooperation minister KN Rajanna allegations that 48 people have fallen victim to “honey traps” in the state. It has been alleged that their obscene videos had been circulated. KN Rajanna claimed on Thursday that at least 48 politicians were honey-trapped. According to him, the list was across party lines, including state and national leaders.

“It is the government’s responsibility to protect anyone in the case. According to the law, the guilty should be punished. The Home Minister replied that if Rajanna complained, a high-level probe would be investigated. Rajanna did not name anyone, action could be taken if he had named someone. There is no question of protecting anyone in the case,” ANI quoted the CM as saying.

On Thursday, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had announced that he would order a high-level probe into the alleged honey trap attempt on Rajendra Rajanna, MLC and son of KN Rajanna, reported Hindustan Times.