BANGALORE: History was made in the Legislative Council on Monday with Doordarshan's Chandana channel beginning the live telecast of proceedings.

Soon after the House met, acting Chairman Sachidanand Khot announced that the next three days of the session would be shown live on TV. Several members spoke welcoming the decision, as many people in different corners of the State were unaware of how the House of Elders debated issues and contributed to policymaking.

`People are watching'

Leader of the House D.H. Shankaramurthy said the live telecast of proceedings had been a long-standing demand, and it had finally become a reality. Leader of the Opposition H.K. Patil welcomed the move, saying it would be a reminder to all members that their "god," the people of the State, was watching, and they must not let them down.

B.K. Chandrashekar (Congress) said the live telecast would enable people to judge for themselves the performance of the elected representatives and send feedback so that members could be more effective as policymakers.

Srikante Gowda (Janata Dal-S) said that with the camera now panning the House, it would perhaps help improve the quality of debate, and members would be aware that the entire State was watching them.

Srinath (nominated), who has been a film actor and is now a well-known TV personality, said ever since he became an MLC, he was frequently asked why his "new role" was scarcely visible on the small screen. "Now I can go anywhere and people will not ask me that question," he said.

Prakash K. Rathod (Congress), a former State cricketer, said it was as exciting as being on the pitch playing a one-day international. Watching the telecast over three days could be like watching a Ranji trophy match.

V.S. Ugrappa (Congress) struck an angry note, saying there was an ulterior motive in beginning the telecast as the session was coming to an end, that too after the live telecast of the Legislative Assembly proceedings had been suddenly stopped after the Opposition objected to the telecast of the Chief Minister's reply on the bribery allegation issue.

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