K'taka Govt spying on Oppn leaders: Patil

Bangalore, Jan 9 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council H K Patil today charged the State Government of carrying out "continuous surveillance" of its leaders, which was ''undemocratic.'' 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