Date:15/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/15/stories/2007031512360400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Government told to abide by Governor's missive

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Government was on Wednesday directed to abide by Governor T.N. Chaturvedi's communiqué in which he cited relevant rules and precedents and announced the calendar of events for the election of Chairman of the Legislative Council

"Mukhyamantri" Chandru, who was in the chair, gave this direction in the Upper House at the end of protracted debate over the issue that had stalled business for a good part of the legislature session, which ended on February 20.

Following petitions from the Congress, which had objected to N. Thippanna officiating as Chairman in the absence of the acting Chairman Sachidanand Khot during the earlier session, and the acrimony that followed, the Governor had chosen to articulate his concerns over the developments before the media, and had also noted that no Legislative Council (in other States) had been known to have functioned without the Chairman for such long periods as has been seen in Karnataka.

His missive to the Government, written on February 22, said the House must elect its Chairman, and according to the rules, a message received from the Governor has to be read and a direction issued by the Chair for compliance.

Accordingly, Mr. Chandru directed the Government to set in motion the process for holding "free, fair and impartial" elections to the post of Chairman.

Leader of the House and Higher Education Minister D.H. Shankaramurthy, in his reply to the debate, said the Government was committed to holding the elections as soon as possible, and the calendar of events would be announced after taking the views of all concerned.

However, Leader of the Opposition H.K. Patil was not happy with this response, and demanded that the House should pass a resolution under which the Governor would announce the calendar of events for the election on March 20.

Motion moved

The Congress, the main Opposition in the House, later moved a "resolution of congratulations" to thank the Governor for his initiative in solving the crisis and directing the Government to hold the election. Mr. Chandru decided to consider this private members' resolution, and examine whether it could be allowed.

Earlier, the House saw a spirited start, with verbal exchanges, allegations and counter allegations, and general din and bustle dominating the pre-lunch session.

After 90 minutes of this, the House decided that it would allot 30 minutes to a discussion on whether the Governor's message to the members on holding the election to the post of Chairman could be discussed.