https://www.india.com/karnataka/72-yr-old-man-walks-into-karnataka-assembly-posing-as-mla-arrested-6154371/72-Yr-Old Man Walks in Karnataka Assembly posing as MLA, arrested

When confronted by marshals, the man said he wanted to attend the budget session and insisted he was an MLA, but was unable to back up his wild claims with any evidence.

Bangalore: In a freak incident, a man posing as an MLA walked into the Karnataka assembly and sat in a legislator’s seat for nearly 15 minutes before being arrested. The man, identified as 72-year-old Tipperudra, snuck into the house and hung out among lawmakers before being detained by police.

The man, identified as Tipperudra, a resident of Chitradurga district of Karnataka, allegedly posed as Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna, PTI news agency reported citing police sources. They said he roamed the halls of the house for a while and also occupied the seat of Devadurga MLA Karemma for about 15 minutes before being spotted by Gurmitkal JD (S) MLA Sharanagouda Kandakur.

Kandakur grew suspicious of the strange man and immediately informed the House marshals. The President of the House has also been informed of the intruder.

When confronted by marshals, the man said he wanted to attend the budget session and insisted he was an MLA, but was unable to back up his wild claims with any evidence.

“On the day Siddaramaiah presented his historic budget, this historic incident also happened where for the first time in the history of the Karnataka assembly, a man snuck into the Karnataka assembly,” Kandakur joked.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division) R Srinivas Gowda said the intruder gained entry to the meeting by identifying himself as an MLA.

“The marshals detained him after confirming he was an impersonator. He was handed over to Vidhana Soudha Police. We are questioning him to find out the motive,” Gowda told reporters.

A police officer said it was difficult for the marshals deployed at the meeting to identify the lawmakers as there are many new faces.

The incident occurred on a day when Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah submitted his record 14th budget in the state legislative assembly. This is the first budget of the newly formed Congress government that seized power from the BJP in the May 10 parliamentary elections in the state.