BANGALORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H.K. Patil has faulted the manner of appointment of the new Lokayukta, N. Santosh Hegde. He has contended that he was not consulted about the appointment as laid down in the Lokayukta Act.

Mr. Patil has requested Governor T.N. Chaturvedi to set right what he termed the illegality committed by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy while tendering his advice for the appointment of the Lokayukta.

In a four-page memorandum to the Governor, Mr. Patil said Mr. Kumaraswamy had violated the law. According to Section 3 (2) (a) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984, the Lokayukta "shall be appointed on the advice tendered by the Chief Minister in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, the Chairman of the Legislative Council, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the leaders of the Opposition in the Council and the Assembly."

Mr. Patil said the Chief Minister had not consulted him before recommending the name of Mr. Hegde. Mr. Kumaraswamy only wrote a letter to him stating that he suggest a name. "The Chief Minister misled the Governor. No consultation has actually taken place. No meeting was held nor were any names proposed or discussed," he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail