The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Congress remains firm on demand

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 02, 2007
ePaper


<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=468 HEIGHT=60 ALT="Click Here"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Congress remains firm on demand

Staff Reporter

`Thippanna has been imposed on House'

BANGALORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H.K. Patil has said that the Congress will continue to force the Government to announce election for the post of Chairman of the Council in accordance with the law both inside the House and outside.

He told presspersons here on Thursday, after the House was adjourned without transacting any listed business, that he would participate in the meeting convened by Minister for Home and Parliamentary Affairs M.P. Prakash for sorting out the issue.

Although the Opposition was not in agreement with the ad hoc arrangement made by the Government by "imposing" N. Thippanna on the House, it would participate in the meeting hoping that "good sense will prevail" on the Government. If the talks fail, it would take steps in compliance with parliamentary tradition to force the Government to announce the election, he said.

V.S. Ugrappa said the post had been vacant since June 17, 2006. It was expected that the Government would announce the election during the sessions held in July and September in Bangalore and Belgaum respectively. Now, it looked that the Government would not hold election until June, as five Congress members would complete their tenure by then, he added.

Action defended

Minister for Higher Education D.H. Shankaramurthy defended Mr. Thippanna presiding over the House. He pointed out there was a provision for such a step under Article 144 (2) of the Constitution. Besides, such a decision had been taken after consulting the secretary-general of the Rajya Sabha, he noted.

Speaking to presspersons, he said though the Government was ready to hold the meeting of the Floor leaders, several Congress members themselves had requested him to put off the meeting to Monday. The Government would hold the elections at an appropriate time, he asserted and alleged that the Congress members were only trying to stall the House.

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

Karnataka