State starts consultation process for Lokayukta

Seeking to put the imbroglio surrounding the appointment of Lokayukta behind it, the Karnataka government on Tuesday kicked off a consultation process to select a figure to head the anti-corruption watchdog. “The letter will go on Tuesday itself. Once the reply is received, it will be decided on what needs to be done,” Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda told reporters here.

He was referring to the letters to be sent to opposition leaders in the Legislative Assembly and Council, presiding officers of the two Houses and Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, as part of the consultation process. The Lokayukta post has been lying vacant in Karnataka for the past nearly 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 in the case of the latter (for his non-acceptance).

Gowda said the consultation process would be completed in ten days. Gowda noted there is a “big debate” on the consultation process (earlier) not done properly, but asserted the Government had followed precedents as well as legal rules in this context.

Earlier this month, the Chief Justice of Karnataka Justice Vikramjit Sen wrote to the state government saying due processes were not followed in the appointment of Justice (Retd) Chandrashekaraiah as the Upalokayukta and demanded his recall at the earliest.

The government has maintained that it’s not correct to say that the consultation process has not been done properly, and Gowda had said two days ago he would discuss the matter with the Chief Justice. Asked if controversies surrounding the appointments to Lokayukta and Upalokayukta have dented the image of the State government, the Chief Minister said it’s for the media and those “who assess the image” to judge. “It’s not good to give marks to myself.”

He said no politician would admit that a decision taken by him is not correct and politician would always maintain that there can never be a better decision. But Gowda also had a dig at the media, saying instead of debating the factualness or otherwise of issues, “sensitive issues and breaking news are overriding truth”.