BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday said he would decide on initiating action against two Ministers in accordance with the Lokayukta's recommendation only after consulting legal experts.

The Lokayukta has recommended the dismissal of two Ministers, Alkod Hanumanthappa and Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, for not filing the mandatory declaration of assets and liabilities in time.

The Chief Minister told presspersons here that he could not go through the Lokayukta's recommendation because it had reached him only on Friday night. He had asked legal experts to study the matter and give an opinion.

Replying to queries, he said three months' time had been given to initiate action against the Ministers.

These Ministers were not facing any corruption charge. They had erred in not filing the declaration of assets in time, he said.

He claimed that there were instances in which 67 legislators, including 20 Ministers, had not filed the declaration before the Lokayukta some years ago. At the same time, the Chief Minister made it clear that the Government was determined to strengthen the Lokayukta by giving him more powers.

The matter would soon come up for discussion before a Cabinet subcommittee.

Ullal byelection

Replying to queries on whether the Janata Dal (S) would field a candidate for the Ullal byelection, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the party leadership would take a decision in this regard.

"I will abide by whatever decision is taken by party national president H.D. Deve Gowda, State president M.P. Prakash and the Parliamentary Board," the Chief Minister said.

He said the Government had already zeroed in on an eminent person to be appointed as chairman of the backward classes commission.

The notification would be issued soon, Mr. Kumaraswamy added.

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