BJP demands inquiry into transfers during President's rule

Bangalore, Mar 24 (UNI) Karnataka BJP president D V Sadananda Gowda today appealed to President Prathiba Devi Singh R Patil to order an inquiry into the transfers that took place after the imposition of President's rule in the state.

In a letter to the President, a copy of which was released at a press conference here, Mr Gowda alleged that Governor Rameshwar Thakur was acting against the democracy and indulging in unnecessary transfers.

He claimed that for the last four-and-a-half months, according to information available, the Governor had affected transfers of 68 IAS, 80 KAS, 12 IFS, 118 Dy SPs, 18 Chief Engineers, 29 Chief Executive Engineers, 96 Executive Engineers, 183 Assistant Executive Engineers and more than 300 Police Inspectors.

''The Governor's action in largescale transfers was against democratic norms. President's rule is only a stop-gap arrangement and the Governor cannot take unilateral decision, against constitutional provisions. The Act of the Governor will have a bearing on the coming elections to the Legislative Assembly due in May,'' Mr Gowda alleged.

Mr Gowda appealed to the President to call for records on transfer and inquire in detail about the reasons and take steps for smooth conduct of elections in the state.

UNI MSP ROY LPB GC1858