The Hindu : Four-day session for vote on account likely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 24, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Four-day session for vote on account likely

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JAN. 23. The State Budget will be presented on February 5 and the Government will go in for a vote on account. The session for the vote on account could be for about four days to allow general discussion, but the exact duration will be decided at the Cabinet meeting on January 30, according to the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, D.B. Chandre Gowda.

He told presspersons here today that it was necessary to hold the "Budget" session earlier than usual in view of the possibility of the State deciding to go in for elections before schedule. "Our options are open. We will look at our convenience and not the exigencies of the Centre," he said.

Asked about his opinion on holding Assembly elections along with the Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Chandre Gowda said: "I see no reason why we should go in for early elections. People have voted us for (a tenure of) five years and we have obligations to fulfil. Why should we curtail our term by eight months?" The term ends on October 23 this year.

Mr. Chandre Gowda pointed out that there was no obligation on the part of the State Government to go in for Assembly polls along with elections to the Lok Sabha.

He clarified that it was for the Cabinet to take a decision on the dissolution of the Assembly and make a recommendation to the Governor.

The Election Commission, he said, could not suggest holding of elections before April 23. After this date, the commission could suggest dates for holding elections, and it was for the Government to dissolve the Assembly.

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