Council Chairman election likely on Mar 15

Bangalore, Mar 7 (UNI) Ending the impasse over holding election to the post of Chairman of the Legislative Council, the Karnataka Government has decided to fill the post, which had remained vacant for several months, most likely on March 15, Home and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M P Prakash informed today.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said the Council, which had been adjourned to March 16, would be re-convened two days in advance and an appeal would be made to revoke the suspension of the Congress members to Officiating Chairman N Thipanna. The Governor's message on the issue would be read out at the House. The Government would decide on the calendar of events for the poll and communicate it to the Governor, he added.

It may be recalled that the Opposition Congress had disrupted the last session of both the Council and Assembly, demanding that the State Government take immediate measures to hold the election and refusing to accept the appointment of Officiating Chairman. The entire Congress members were suspended for the entire session for showing disrespect to the Officiating Chairman.

Governor T N Chaturvedi, acting on a petition submitted by the Congress on the issue, had sent a message to the Council Secretary to take immediate measures to hold the election. However, the message was not read out in the Council, before adjourning to March 16. Subsequently, the Governor took strong exception to his message not being read out in the House, but Mr Thipanna claimed that he got the message only after the House was adjourned.

UNI