Anti-Conversion Bill Saga: CM Bommai Hits At Karnataka Congress, JD(S)'s Kumaraswamy Slams Bill

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai lashed out at the Congress over its conduct in the ongoing Assembly session, calling it an "irresponsible opposition party"

Basavaraj Bommai (Image: PTI File)

New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday lashed out at the Congress over its conduct in the ongoing Assembly session, calling it an "irresponsible opposition party".

Referring to the anti-conversion bill, he said: "It is the right of an elected government, as the voice of the people, to decide as to what laws need to be brought. The opposition Congress members were not present when the bill was introduced in the House. It is the duty of the Opposition to be present. They have shown their irresponsibility by staying away. The state has the most irresponsible opposition party."

Reacting to the Congress' charge that the bill was included in the supplementary agenda of the proceedings of the house, the Chief Minister said: "The Speaker is vested with the power to prepare supplementary agenda. It is an irresponsible party."

Saying adverse impact of religious conversions on innumerable families is a known fact for all, the Chief Minister said "it should be prevented".

"We are working under legal and constitutional provisions in this regard. Congress has the opportunity to discuss it. We are ready to make amends if there are any mistakes in the bill," Bommai said.

Meanwhile, speaking to media persons, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said that the Bill is not going to help anybody and slammed BJP for footing the Bill in the Assembly.

It is not going to help anybody. They (BJP) are bringing it to do damage to certain sections of the society: Former Karnataka CM & JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on State Govt tabling an anti-conversion bill in the Assembly (21.12.2021) pic.twitter.com/vG4J2ahAMB

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2021

Yediyurappa requests Opposition to support the Bill

The former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa urged the opposition parties to support the bill. "I request Congress and JD(S) leaders to support the anti-conversion bill to pass it unanimously in the Assembly. Many states have already made it a law," he said according to ANI news agency.

I request Congress and JD(S) leaders to support the anti-conversion bill to pass it unanimously in the Assembly. Many states have already made it a law: Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa (21.12.2021) pic.twitter.com/kviIuVFB8f

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2021

(With inputs from news agencies)