K'taka Oppn demands disqualification of BJP members

Bangalore, June 24 (UNI) Opposition parties in the Karnataka Legislative Council today demanded the disqualification of BJP members D H Shankaramurthy and 'Mukhyamantri' Chandru for holding office-of-profit.

While Mr Shankaramurthy had been appointed Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board rpt Board, Mr Chandru headed the Kannada Development Authority.

Raising the issue during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, Mr R Sudarshan (Cong) said since the members held office-of-profit, they should be disqualified from the House immediately.

Another Congress member Ugrappa said the continuation of both members in the Upper House attracted Article 191 of the Indian constitution and the Chairman should take immediate steps to disqualify them. ''Even if both the members resign now, they cannot escape the disqualification provision as per the provision in the constitution,'' he contended.

Despite Home Minister Dr V S Acharya clarifying that necessary amendments had been brought in to the article in 2006, providing for holding office of profit while being a member of the Legislative Council, Mr Basavaraj Horatti (JD-S) intervened and said the BJP Government, by making Mr Shankaramurthy a permanent invitee to Cabinet meetings, had set a new precedent.

The Chairman reserved his ruling on the issue for tomorrow.

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