[Bangla Daily Star] Three ministers belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka resigned yesterday after they were caught on TV watching allegedly pornography video clippings on their mobile phones sitting inside the state legislature.Lakshman Savdi, C C Patil and Krishna B Palemar quit from the ministry following a meeting among top state BJP leaders.
While Savdi was holding Cooperation portfolio, Patil was Woman and Child Development minister and Palemar was entrusted with Ports and Environment responsibilities.
Savdi and Patil were caught allegedly watching porn film clips on the former's cell phone on the floor of the legislative assembly in Bangalore on Tuesday.
The ministers were caught in the act even as the House was in the middle of a heated debate.
Close up shots of the ministers watching blue films were beamed on local television channels on Tuesday evening and sparked an outrage.
The television visuals showed both the minister sitting next to each other, looking at Savdi's mobile phone and having banter.
Savdi claimed the clips were forwarded by Palemar.
Palemar, who had to pay a price for allegedly providing the blue film clippings to Savadi, said he was contemplating legal course over the issue.
Former chief minister Yeddyurappa said the ministers have voluntarily tendered resignation on moral grounds and none of the party leaders, including party President Nitin Gadkari, had any role to play.
"Inquiry will be conducted and soon truth will be out," he added.
This is for the first time the Karnataka state assembly was rocked by such a scandal.
Sources, however, said BJP had decided Tuesday night itself to take the resignation of the three ministers but was awaiting for Yeddyurappa to come back from tour of Bidar.