Sat Mar 22 15:45:21 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Speaker Defends Suspension of 18 BJP MLAs Amidst Political Row

**Bengaluru, March 22, 2025** – The suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly sparked a heated political clash on Saturday. Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader defended his decision, stating that no legislator is above the House and that the MLAs disrespected the assembly and the Speaker’s chair for a second time. He warned of a year-long suspension if their conduct doesn’t improve. Khader maintained that he acted without pressure and left the possibility of legal challenge to the legislators themselves.

Meanwhile, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra strongly condemned the suspension, calling it “illegal, unconstitutional, unilateral, and arbitrary.” He questioned the Speaker’s actions, asking if the suspended MLAs were being treated like “terrorists or Naxalites” given their exclusion from the Assembly and its standing committee meetings. Vijayendra accused the Speaker of acting in line with the state government and claimed the suspension violated the legislators’ rights. The BJP is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the suspensions.

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