Health and Family Welfare Minister and former Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday admitted that the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs for six months over their “indiscipline and disrespectful behaviour” towards the Speaker’s chair during a ruckus in the House over allegations of honey-trapping in March 2025 was one of the ”most painful episodes” of his tenure as Speaker.

Congratulating the new Speaker, G.S. Patil, in the House, Mr. Khader said the Speaker’s job was extremely challenging as the incumbent had to uphold the Constitution while conducting the proceedings impartially and ensuring that the day’s agenda was completed.

As custodian of the House, the Speaker could build the confidence of the Opposition by directing Ministers and officials to be present in the House, he said.

Mr. Khader said he had succeeded in improving attendance in the House and also organised the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Region Conference in Bengaluru in September 2025.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, V.S. Sunil Kumar, C.C. Patil and several BJP members recalled Mr. Khader’s initiatives as Speaker, such as installing new doors at the entrance to the House, and organising book exhibitions and other activities during the sessions.

Mr. Ashok said the Speaker had the power to suspend members only for the duration of a session, but Mr. Khader had suspended the 18 BJP legislators for six months. The suspension was subsequently revoked after two months, he said.

Mr. C.C. Patil said Mr. Khader had brought discipline to the House by commencing proceedings early in the day and giving newly elected members opportunities to speak.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, however, said Mr. Khader had “troubled” the government and Ministers by convening the House early in the morning and extending proceedings beyond midnight. He also said Mr. Khader had reportedly set a condition that he should be made a Minister after completing 2.6 years as Speaker.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar recalled that leaders such as S.M. Krishna and Jagadish Shettar had first served as Speakers before becoming Chief Ministers. Mr. Khader, too, became a Minister after serving as Speaker, he noted.

Published - August 14, 2026 07:10 pm IST