Won't join probe, BJP trying to bury porngate: Siddaramaiah

Bangalore, Feb 15: Opposition Leader in State Assembly Siddaramaiah on Wednesday ruled out being a part of an inquiry committee to probe the porn watching episode involving three former BJP ministers and charged the ruling BJP government of attempting to bury the issue.

"I will not be a part of the inquiry committee that would probe into the watching of porn video by former BJP ministers (Laxman Savadi, C C Patil and Krishna Palemar) as the ruling BJP government intends to bury the issue," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

There is no need for an inquiry into the matter as the ministers had already admitted to watching the porn clippings, Siddaramaiah claimed.

"What is there to investigate when all the news channels captured the images of three former ministers watching porn during Assembly proceedings," the Opposition leader said.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah without wasting any time should take suo moto decision and disqualify the trio from holding Assembly membership as their act is a non-bailable offence under the IPC, Siddaramaiah said.

"The Speaker should suspend them immediately and book a criminal case against them," he demanded. The inquiry committee has been given time till March 12 to submit its report.
On the issue of the appointment of Lokayukta, Siddaramaiah said he has not received any letter from Chief Minister D V Sadananada Gowda in connection with it.

The government yesterday began a consultation process to select a figure to head the anti-corruption watchdog, with Gowda saying he would write in this regard to the opposition leaders in the Legislative Assembly and Council, presiding officers of the two Houses and Karnataka Chief Justice.

The Lokayukta post has been lying vacant in Karnataka for about five months. After Justice (Retd) V Shivaraj Patil quit in September within six weeks of assuming office, the government recommended Justice (Retd) S R Bannurmath for the post, but the Governor refused to accept it, finally leading to the latter opting out of the race.

Patil and Bannurmath faced allegations that land was allotted to them in violation of rules, while the Governor hinted that it was not the only reason for his non-acceptance of the candidates.

PTI