Kumaraswamy meets Governor regarding Lok Ayukta appointment

Bangalore, July 14 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today met Governor T N Chaturvedi in connection with the appointment of a new Lok Ayukta.

The meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, was regarding the appointment of the new Lok Ayukta following the term of Mr Justice N Venkatachala coming to an end recently.

The Lok Ayukta post had been remaining vacant for about a month, with the Government not ready to extend the term of Mr Justice Venkatachala, who had single-handedly launched a crusade against corruption in the State. The former Supreme Court judge had expressed his desire to continue in office only if the Government gave more teeth to the institution. But, the Government was not game for this, stating that it would undermine the powers of the dispensation.

Emerging out of the Raj Bhavan after the meeting, Mr Kumaraswamy told newspersons here that there was no necessity for Forests Minister Chennigappa to resign following the allegations that the mining lobby had bribed him through Mr Chennigappa.

''In fact, I have to praise Mr Chennigappa for his work as the Forests Minister,'' he added.

Declining to comment on former Deputy Chief Minister and suspended JD(S) leader Siddaramaiah joining the Congress, he said it was his personal issue.

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