Game of Recliners: Tired from serving public and increasing taxes, Karnataka MLAs to get ‘nap’ time as perks

Since news broke that Karnataka MLAs will have recliners in the assembly lounge for ‘naps’ while on duty, public reactions have ranged from criticism and disbelief to outright mockery. Some have slammed the Congress government for robbing the middle class and poor of sleep through tax hikes and rising prices—only to gift themselves “power naps” in the state assembly. In true WWE fighter Goldberg style, some have asked, “What’s next?”—massagers, spa treatments, or maybe even bedtime lullabies? Meanwhile, memers are having a field day creating viral templates.

But first things first. The latest round of political satire practically wrote itself when Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader took a creative step, arranging recliner chairs for MLAs to rest during the upcoming Assembly session. As per reports, just like in previous sessions, free snacks and meals will also be provided—because, of course, governance is a tiring job.

Khader justified the move, stating that MLAs tend to leave the Assembly lounge after lunch to rest elsewhere, so this initiative ensures they can conveniently nap without abandoning the premises. Ever proactive, he confirmed that the arrangements are already in motion.

“For this joint budget session, around 15 to 20 recliner chairs will be rented to allow legislators to take short naps after lunch,” Khader proudly stated.

Also Read: Toilet Tax, water cess, Samosa probe and more: Congress is making a mockery of voters

Now, while Karnataka’s residents grapple with unpaid bills and economic mismanagement, the government has found the funds to ensure MLAs enjoy their seats in comfort. As expected, public reaction was swift and scathing.

When Sleeping on the Job Becomes Governance

Nonetheless, as public outrage fades, a period of lull will take over the state—MLAs will be well-rested in the assembly, while the public will sleep too, having lost any anticipation of a development agenda from their representatives, who have already declared there’s ‘no money’ for their welfare this year.

But perhaps this sleeping calm is just the calm before the storm. Some Hindi-native-speaking technocrat could be hitchhiking an auto to earn an honest living—only to end up beaten by a linguistic chauvinist auto driver, demanding he speak Kannada. After all, priorities must be enforced.

Borrowing a popular phrase from Cersei Lannister, “Power is power,” this development is the Congress government’s boot in the public’s face—a reminder that the Overton window has shifted dramatically, away from outdated notions like accountability or productivity. Today, governance isn’t about service—it’s about perks, optics, and the ruthless display of power.

Public service was once a tireless, thankless, round-the-clock duty, driven by zeal and commitment to constituents. But when dictionaries flip, and even ‘men’ and ‘women’ lose their meaning, so too does the meaning of service.

It is no longer governance of the people, by the people, and for the people—but of the liberals, by the liberals, for the liberals. A privilege where ‘sleeping on the job’ is rebranded as a necessary productivity enhancer.