It was a historic moment on the day of June 18, 1952. At the stroke of 11 those gathered in Attara Kacheri got down to the all important business of giving shape to the state's first Legislative Assembly.
His Highness Jayachamaraja Wadiyar appointed V. Venkatappa as the temporary Speaker and 95 members including Leader of the House, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, took oath. The House then proceeded to elect H. Siddaiya as Speaker. Kengal Hanumanthaiah, making the first speech, felicitated the new Speaker and Janab J Mohammed Imam followed, paying tribute to retiring Speaker Venkatappa. More members rose to speak in a similar vein. It was 5.40 p.m.in the evening when the House adjourned for the day, but it reconvened at 12 noon, June 20.
The session then continued till June 30, passing major bills, resolutions, and amendments. The first Budget (1952-53) had an outlay of only Rs 20 crore and a revenue deficit of Rs 1 crore. The Centre had stopped food subsides forcing the state to increase food prices.
Interestingly, the very first session of the House passed a resolution for abolition of the Mysore Legislative Council, arguing that the 100-member Assembly was well equipped to decide on issues concerning the state. The abolition would help save the Rs 3 lakh that was spent on the 40 member Council, the resolution said. The members then passed a privilege motion for placing the Maharaja’s portrait in the Assembly hall and moved an adjournment motion to lower the Mysore flag.
BEFORE VIDHANA SOUDHA
This was still the time when Bengaluru did not boast of the majestic Vidhana Soudha. But it did have the beautiful Karnataka high court building, the Attara Kacheri with its brick red facade. It was here that the Legislative Assembly , Legislative Council and the state secretariat began to function. While the Central hall on the ground floor of the High Court housed the Legislative Assembly, the hall on the first floor accommodated the Council.
FIRST CABINET
“The Cabinet of Kengal Hanumanthaiah was small and compact. We were only six ministers – K Hanumanthaiah, T Siddalingaih, AG Ramachandra Rao, H Siddaveerappa, T Channaih and myself. Later HM Channabasappa was inducted and after the merger of Bellary district, Dr R Nagana Gowda was part of the Cabinet. Hanumanthaiah was an able administrator and a man of integrity”- recalled Kadidal Manjappa in one of his essays.
Although there was no post of opposition leader, J.M. Imam of the Krishik Mazdoor Lok Party, a left liberal party, led the opposition with its 12 members.
The Lakkolli Dam issue, nationalisation of Kolar Gold Fields and the reorganisation of the state were issues of hot debate during the five-year term of the first assembly. This period saw the demise of Speaker Siddaiah and the government sanctioned Rs 30,000 for his family which was not in the best of financial health.
CONTROVERSIES
The government came under fire over the controversial Mysore (Personnel and Miscellaneous) Inams Abolition Bill in 1953 and Mysore (Religious and Charitable) Inams Abolition Bill in 1954 , which allowed it to take over land allotted to religious and social institutions. Then came the acute famine in Kolar district and the Opposition lost no opportunity to taunt Hanumanthaiah’s ministry saying that instead of bringing prosperity, it had brought misery to Mysore state. Hanumanthaiah invited more criticism when he decided to go ahead with his plan to unify the state. There was more to follow. The planning commission pointed out that the government had diverted funds meant for planned expenditure for the construction of Vidhana Soudha, leading to outrage.
The first term of the assemby also saw a minister, T.C. Siddalingaiah resign after the then Prime Minister, Jawaharalal Nehru ordered an inquiry into a copper wire deal entered into by the government.
The other major crisis that virtually brought down Hanumanthaiah government was the contempt of court case against the chief minister himself. Hanumanthaiah tried to undo some of the decisions taken by his predecessor, K.C. Reddy, which was later challenged in the high court. The litigation took an interesting turn with the then Chief Justice P. Medappa taking up suo motu contempt of court proceeedings agaisnt the chief minister.
Chief Justice Medappa was to pronounce his judgment on the day of his retirement. Sensing trouble, Hanumantaiah declared a holiday for the entire state and escaped the contempt charges.