Congress petitions K'taka Governor

Bangalore, Feb 14 (UNI) The Opposition Congress in Karnataka today urged Governor T N Chaturvedi to take the initiative to hold election to the post of Legislative Council Chairman, which remained vacant for the last eight months, and nullify the proceedings of the Council chaired by Officiating Chairman N Thipanna as his appointment was ''illegal''.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly N Dharam Singh led a party delegation to the Governor and submitted a memorandum, appealing to him to exercise his Constitutional powers and hold election to the post.

The Council was facing a piquant situation, with the Chairman's post remaining vacant and the Deputy Chairman recuperating in a hospital following an accident. The JD(S)-BJP coalition Government, taking advantage of the situation, had appointed JD(S) member Thipanna as the Officiating Chairman, which was ''illegal and unconstitutional'', the party alleged.

The Congress also brought to the notice of the Governor the ''illegal'' suspension of Congress members from the House by the Officiating Chairman.

The Congress delegation included KPCC President Mallikarjuna Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H K Patil, leaders Prof B K Chandrashekhar, Prakash Rathod and Motamma.

Later speaking to newspersons, Mr Singh said the Governor positively responded to the Congress demand and exuded confidence that suitable action would be initiated to resolve the issue.

UNI