Karnataka Assembly Passes Bill to Exempt Advisers from Disqualification

In a contentious move, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly approved the Karnataka Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Bill, 2024, allowing advisers to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to remain exempt from disqualification as members of the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council. This decision, amid uproar in the Assembly, stemmed from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s appointments of MLAs as his political and economic advisers.

The Bill also extends the exemption to the Chairman or Member of any Commission and the Vice-Chairman of the State Institute for Transformation of Karnataka. Additionally, the Assembly passed the Karnataka Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2024, enabling the nomination of residents as members of the Bagair Hukum Committee in constituencies where MLAs decline membership due to time constraints. Despite opposition protests, the House adjourned, rescheduling the next session for February 26.