Karnataka Legislative Assembly passes 8 Bills in an hour without debate amid BJP protest
Among the bills was the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to separate 5% of park land in the form sale, lease, gift, exchange or mortgage for public utility projects undertaken by government departments, statutory authorities, government companies or local bodies.
On Monday, August 24, 2026, the Karnataka opposition BJP and JD(S) accused the State Information and Publicity Department of biased coverage of Legislative Assembly proceedings. They raised slogans against the department as soon as the House convened. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, along with other BJP and JD(S) members, harshly criticized the "pro-government" coverage by the Information and Publicity Department.
Ashok demanded the removal of the department's Commissioner, alleging that Opposition leaders were not given sufficient coverage during their speeches in the House. Last week, Ashok had complained to journalists that photographs of ruling party leaders and Ministers received prominence, while Opposition leaders often went unphotographed.
He subsequently requested the department to photograph Opposition leaders and share the images via WhatsApp.
The Opposition has escalated its protest over irregularities at the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation. Protesters stormed the well of the House, demanding the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra. This agitation entered its sixth consecutive day on Monday, with Opposition members staging protests from their seats for the preceding five days, raising slogans against the Congress government.
Ashok accused the government of "insulting" the House by protecting Nagendra, stating that the BJP was prepared to discuss issues like drought, the NICE project, Bidadi Township Project, cancellation of ration cards, and delays in pension payments. He emphasized that while there are one crore Dalits, the government seems to prioritize one Nagendra over the one crore Dalits.
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