Siddaramaiah, Minister indulge in wordy duel

Bangalore, Aug 7 (UNI) The Karnataka Assembly today witnessed angry exchanges between former Deputy Chief Minister Siddramaiah and Tourism Minister D T Jayakumar.

Mr Siddramaiah was criticising the alleged irregularities and nepotism by Mysore University Vice Chancellor J Shashidhar Prasad during the discussion in the House on the issue and this led to the heated argument and nothing was audible.

Mr Siddramaiah and others also alleged that the Vice Chancellor by violating Supreme Court guidelines had appointed several persons, ignoring the roster system. Some members also demanded an inquiry into the issue.

Higher Education Minister D H Shankara Murthy assured that he would look into the complaints and take a decision accordingly. Not satisfied by the reply, the Congress members trooped into the well of the House and staged dharna, demanding an inquiry.

When they demanded a categorical reply from the Minister, Mr Murthy assured that he would go through the complaints and hold an inquiry, if the situation warrants. The members then withdrew their dharna.

UNI