Bengaluru, March 16, 2026: In a rare and embarrassing moment for the Congress government, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader adjourned the House on Monday after ministers failed to provide written replies to the majority of unstarred questions raised by MLAs, despite repeated warnings. The Speaker walked out of the Chair, declaring that the Assembly could not function without proper answers, marking what opposition leaders described as an unprecedented step in the state’s legislative history.
The incident unfolded during the ongoing budget session. After the Question Hour, Home Minister G. Parameshwara informed the House that out of 230 unstarred questions listed for written replies from departments including revenue, housing, public works and animal husbandry, only 84 had been answered. This left over 146 questions pending, prompting strong protests from the opposition benches.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka (BJP) objected vehemently, pointing out that responses had dipped below 50 per cent for several days despite the Speaker’s prior directives. “Warnings have been issued four times, and even the fifth time, the government is doing the same. The government seems to be dead,” Ashoka said, adding that the session’s purpose — to address constituency issues — was being defeated.
An visibly upset Speaker Khader intervened, criticising the government sharply. “All MLAs ask questions. Only 15 are starred and discussed during Question Hour, and the remaining are unstarred. For questions asked as per House rules, if answers are not given… how can the House be run?” he asked. He further stated, “If the government fails to answer questions of MLAs, why should they even come to the Assembly? How is this fair? I have already issued strict orders four times, and this is the fifth time.”
Khader adjourned the proceedings, saying, “Until the ministers and officials concerned come to me and explain what the issue is, I will not conduct the House.” He emphasised that the Assembly exists primarily for legislators to seek answers on behalf of their constituents. Opposition MLAs welcomed the move with desk-thumping applause.
This was not the first warning. Over the past four to five days, Khader had repeatedly pulled up the government, noting abysmally low reply rates — such as only 55 out of 131 questions answered earlier in the week. He had even convened meetings with the Chief Secretary and officials to set deadlines.
Following the adjournment, Khader held an urgent meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ashoka, senior ministers and officials. About an hour later, the House reconvened after the government gave assurances. CM Siddaramaiah instructed principal secretaries to issue notices and initiate action — including suspension — against officials delaying replies. Home Minister Parameshwara later informed the House that the government was taking the matter seriously and would ensure timely responses and ministerial presence going forward.
Senior BJP legislator S. Suresh Kumar called the Speaker’s adjournment historic, noting it was the first time the House had been halted solely over delays in written replies. Opposition leaders accused the Congress of “governance paralysis” and demanded accountability from ministers for absenteeism and lack of coordination.
The episode has intensified scrutiny on the Congress government’s functioning in the Assembly, with the opposition demanding stricter enforcement to restore the dignity of legislative proceedings. The budget session is expected to continue, but the Speaker’s firm stance has sent a clear message that the House will not tolerate repeated lapses.
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