Congress leaders arrived at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi on a tractor on December 16. They were heading to the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha to participate in the fourth day of the winter session of the Karnataka legislature. They were led by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D.K. Shivakumar and Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah.
While the legislators were allowed to go in, their supporters were stopped at the gate by security personnel.
Later, members of Congress in the Legislative Council demanded action against police officers for preventing Congress leaders, who arrived by tractors, from entering Suvarna Soudha on December 16.
Leader of Opposition S.R. Patil said the police did not allow tractors inside the Suvarna Soudha. "Tractors are vehicles of our farmers. Why are you against tractors? The police wanted us to get down from tractors and travel by police vehicles. Are we accused to travel in their vehicles?"
Law and Parliamentary Minister J.C. Madhuswamy said the police were instructed to allow tractors in which legislators were travelling inside the Suvarna Soudha. "However, there could be some miscommunication. It happened accidentally," the Minister said.
However, Mr. Patil was not convinced. He argued that during the legislature session, the legislators were under the purview of the Chairman of the Council. If members were not allowed to take part in the session, it was nothing but showing disrespect to the House and breach of members' privilege. "The police officers should be punished for their action" he said.
