Lokayukta resignation rocks Karnataka assembly

PTI

Bangalore, 29 June 2010: The resignation of Santosh Hegde as Lokayukta rocked the Karnataka Assembly on Tuesday crippling official business following a stand-off between the BJP government and Opposition over the form of debate.

As Congress insisted on an adjournament motion it sought to move, the government opposed it stating its contents did not fit into the ambit of an adjournment motion.

Speaker K G Bhopaiah’s ruling rejecting the notice for adjournment motion and allowing a debate under another rule triggered an uproar leading to an Opposition dharna which continued throughout the day.

As Opposition members led by Congress leader Siddaramaiah trooped into the Well demanding the debate under adjournment motion, the House was adjourned for lunch.

In the post-lunch session, an unlenting opposition continued the dharna, repeatedly appealing to the Speaker to reconsider his decision, while rejecting pleas by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Law Minister Suresh Kumar to respect the Chair’s ruling.

Parleys held by Bhopaiah in his chamber between the government and the opposition, including JDS, by adjourning the House for a brief spell failed to end the stalemate.

The Speaker then adjourned the house for the day. Earlier, Siddaramaiah in his preliminary submission charged the government with creating a situation forcing Hegde to resign.

Intervening, Yeddyurappa said the government was ready for a debate for any number of days as the resignation by the Lokayukta has hurt the image of the BJP and there was a need for the people to know the truth about the entire episode.

"You (the Opposition) want to debate. Why only under Rule 60 (Adjournment motion) why not under rule 69 (issues of public importance)," Suresh Kumar asked.

Siddaramaiah later alleged that the Speaker’s decision had been influenced by the government.

Suresh Kumar and Minister for Water Resources Basavaraj Bommai hit out at the opposition saying "they have run out of material to substantiate their arguements after the preliminary submission".

Accusing the government of indifferrence to Lokayukta institution, Hegde resigned on June 23, causing an embarrassment to the BJP government. Hegde has refused to withdraw his resignation.