Legislative Council relevant for all time: Nariman

Bangalore, Jan 20 (UNI) Noted Jurist Fali S Nariman today said members of the Legislative Councils must continue to confabulate and advise on vital matters of the State irrespective of the dissolution of the House.

Addressing a seminar on 'Status of working of Legislative Council' organised by Karnataka Legislative Council here, he said there was a need to drastically change the rules.

''The present rules do not contemplate sittings of the second chamber or the Legislative Council when Assembly is dissolved or is under suspension. If we believe in Parliamentary democracy, we have to rectify this serious lapse and Karnataka should take the lead,'' he said.

His comments comes in the wake of the questions raised over the working of the Legislative Council despite all major political parties favouring continuation of it's sitting.

Mr Nariman called for organising a movement supported by Members of the Council of States around the country to insist that Article 208 should provide for continued functioning of both the Rajya Sabha and the Legislative Councils in States.

''When the Assembly is dissolved, there is no Ministry. There will be different set of rules because the Centre runs the State Government through the Governor.

''The dissolution or suspension is not to dissolve all political parties as well. The Council members are certainly more representative than Advisors of the Governor, appointed by the Centre from amongst the bureaucrats,'' he opined.

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