The political exchange between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party over Upalokayukta Subhash B. Adi’s removal dominated proceedings in the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
While the Congress wanted to repeal the existing Lokayukta Act and favoured legislation on the lines of the Lokpal Bill, the Opposition BJP opposed the “creation of vacuum” in the anti-corruption watchdog, as would be the case if the two motions — demanding removal of the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta — are referred to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka.
On Monday, both Houses of the legislature admitted the motion on the removal of Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao, moved jointly by the Opposition BJP and JD(S), and the Congress. But the BJP has opposed the Congress’ motion demanding removal of Mr. Adi, which has been admitted by the Assembly Speaker.
The BJP members trooped into the well of the House and staged a dharna opposing the petition. “The Congress wants to close down the institution by framing baseless charges against Mr. Adi,” Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar said amidst sloganeering.
Alleging that it was an effort by the Congress to shield Mr. Rao, the BJP claimed that there was no evidence of corruption or public protest against Mr. Adi.
Earlier, Mr. Shettar and Y.S.V. Datta (JD-S) moved the motion seeking removal of the Lokayukta under Section 6 of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act. The motion was admitted without any discussion, as there is no provision for it.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra announced that the Congress too would endorse the motion moved by the Opposition. However, he took exception to immediate admitting of the motion and insisted that it should have been admitted only after “verifying the facts and making sure that there was enough evidence to proceed further.”
Responding sharply, the Speaker made it clear that he had already collected enough evidence to satisfy himself about the authenticity of facts. “I have held consultations with Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, besides getting various facts related to the issue,” he said.
