K'taka Govt spying on Oppn leaders, alleges Patil

Bangalore, Jan 9 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council H K Patil today alleged that the State Government has put the functioning of the leaders of the Opposition parties under continuous surveillance, which was ''undemocratic and condemnable''.

Speaking to newspersons here, he took serious exception to the presence of State intelligence officials at the press conference and said he would bring it to the notice of the Governor and Legislative Council Chairman.

Mr Patil alleged that sending intelligence officials to the offices of the Opposition leaders by the Government was only to intimidate them from discharging their duties. The move invaded the independent functioning of his office, he claimed.

The State Intelligence officer, who attended the press conference claiming to be a reporter of a local daily, was, however, caught by the staff of the Opposition leader and he confessed his mistake.

UNI