HUBLI: K.R. Aithal, Registrar (Evaluation), Dean of Law and Chairman, Department of Law, Karnatak University, has called for a consensus on the need for political reforms in the country.

He was speaking at a symposium on "Recent political crisis in Karnataka" organised by the Department of Political Science, Karnatak University, here on Tuesday.

Permitted

Dr. Aithal noted that what is legally prohibited is often politically permitted. "Politics of the present day is more dependent on individual interests rather than public interest," he said.

C.S. Patil, Principal, University College of Law, said the crisis in Karnataka is a strategic move by politicians to undermine the Constitution.

`Breakdown'

The recent developments in the State can be equated to a Constitutional breakdown, he added.

S.S. Patagundi was of the opinion that the political crisis in the State must be understood in the backdrop of coalition politics. Parties today have ceased to function under the command of a strong leader, he said.

M.G. Khan observed that in the days of "costly elections," the decision of the Governor to invite Mr. Kumaraswamy has to be supported keeping in mind the savings for the nation.

G.B. Nandana opined that the country is facing what B.R. Ambedkar termed "crisis of contradictions." A spiritually flavoured politics will be the best choice, he said.

Scant respect

Chandrakant Yatanoor, Professor and Chairman, Department of Political Science, Gulbarga University, regretted the scant respect for morality and ideology in politics.

During such crisis, the bureaucracy should uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and work for the betterment of people, he said.

Procedures open ended

G.C. Hiregoudar, an expert in parliamentary procedures, underscored the need to "read between the lines" in parliamentary procedures.

Open-ended

"While the procedures are inconclusive and open-ended, there is scope for the office of the Governor and the Speaker to act the way they did," he said.

This, he noted, gives flexibility as well as may lead to different interpretations.

Loopholes

The loopholes that exist in the Constitution and parliamentary or legislative procedures are tools in the hands of manipulative politicians, Mr. Hiregoudar said. This has also helped them have their way by using the loopholes to their advantage, he added.

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