JD leader wants impartial decision on leader of Opppsition issue

Bangalore, Jan 1 (UNI) Former minister and Senior Janata Dal Leader M C Nanaiah today urged Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman B K Chandrashekhar to act in an impartial manner and take a decision on the post of leader of the Opposition in the Council.

Addressing newspersons here, Mr Nanaiah said with the imposition of President's rule under Article 356 of the Constitution, Article 274, under which the Council should meet at least once in six months had became 'infructuous.' Mr Nanaiah said leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council H K Patil had submitted his resignation, following the dissolution of the State Assembly.

''However the Council Chairman, instead of taking action on the resignation, was talking about convening the session, which is not possible under the Constitution.'' Mr Nanaiah, also a Constitutional expert, opined under the President's rule, all powers and authority of the Karnataka Legislature, including those of the Council and Assembly, had been transferred to the Parliament.

''Governor ceased to exercise his rights to convene the Council and address it,'' and under these circumstances, any attempt to convene a session is not advisable, he said.

Mr Nanaiah further said the High Court had also cleared the position twice on the issue of the status of the Opposition leader during the ''bout'' of President's rule and it should show the way for all.

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