Karnataka speaker bars entry of non-members into assembly arena

Ahead of tomorrow's trust vote, Karnataka assembly speaker KG Bopaiah today ordered marshals not to allow non-members including former legislators and MPs in the vicinity of the House.

"There is no entry for any non-member including disqualified MLAs tomorrow into the Vidhna Soudha. I have taken all precautionary measures to ensure smooth proceedings during the vote of confidence," Bopaiah told reporters here.

Untoward incidents that occurred during the trust vote on October 11 would not be repeated tomorrow, he said.

Entry of vehicles including those of MLAs have been banned into the Vidhana Soudha parking area tomorrow, but this restriction will not apply to official vehicles of Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and JD-S legislature Group leader H D Revanna, he said.

City police commissioner Shankar Bidari, whose entry in uniform into the House on Monday sparked a major controversy, said police would issue security clearance passes to each of the MLAs and also journalists having valid entry passes.

Only those who have security clearance will be allowed inside the House, he said.

The government has declared a half-day holiday for staff working in the Vidhana Soudha, its annexe Vikas Soudha and multi-storey complex tomorrow till 1400 hrs.