Janata Dal(S) floor leader in the Legislative Council M.C. Nanaiah’s plea for moving an adjournment motion on the delay in the appointment of a Lokayukta was rejected by Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy following Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar’s opposition to discussing the issue as it was in court.
“It will be sub judice to discuss the issue as it is before the Supreme Court and the Karnataka High Court,” Mr. Shettar said.
Even as the Opposition members took serious exception to the delay in the appointment of the Lokayukta, the Chief Minister said that the delay was not due to any mala fide intention but legal issues.
“We will go ahead with the appointment as soon as the Supreme Court and the High Court dispose of the matters,” he said and pointed out that the High Court will hear the matter on July 23.
“The Advocate-General will inform the court about our stand on the issue on July 23. It will not be proper on my part to discuss the issue now,” he said.
However, making a preliminary submission on the admissibility of an adjournment motion sought to be moved by him, Mr. Nanaiah noted that the Chief Justice of the High Court had himself taken exception to the fact that the government was trying to use the ongoing court cases as an excuse for delaying appointment.
He sought to draw the House’s attention to the High Court’s warning that it may have to “recommend” to the Governor that “there is a failure of Constitutional framework in the State” owing to the non-appointment of the Lokayukta.
However, Mr. Shankaramurthy declined permission for discussion as the Chief Minister remained firm in his stand.
Leader of the House and Housing Minister V. Somanna too opposed any discussion on the issue. This irritated the Opposition members, especially Mr. Nanaiah, who made it clear to him that it was the Chief Minister who had to reply to the issue and not him.
