Rift in JD(S)-BJP combine over Lok Ayukta

Just when it looked as if the ruling coalition partners in Karnataka "� BJP and the JD (S) "� were about to resolve their major differences over the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project, the issue of extending the Lok Ayukta's term has become a bone of contention.

While JD (S), led by chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, is firm on appointing a new Lok Ayukta, the BJP is hinting at a second innings for N Venkatachala, whose term ended last week.

On Monday, deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa made it clear that BJP is in favour of extending Venkatachala's term. There is pressure on the government from civil society as well to extend the term of Venkatachala.

Venkatachala, through his proactive work for the last five years, was responsible for unearthing several scams, some of them embarrassing the government of the day. Often, he went on record accusing the government of shielding corrupt officials. In the process, he developed enemies in the political setup.

His plea for additional powers to prosecute corrupt officials was not well received by the political class.

The Lok Ayukta body was created by the Karnataka Lok Ayukta Act of 1984. The aim was to improve the standards of public administration, by looking into complaints against government actions, including cases of corruption, favouritism and official indiscipline.

The JD (S) is taking shelter under the Lok Ayukta Act, which does not cover the scope of extending the term of the Lok Ayukta.

The issue came up for discussion in the legislature on Monday with former chief minister N Dharam Singh pointing out that the BJP and JD (S) are making contradictory statements over extending Venkatachala's term.

Kumaraswamy maintained that the Lok Ayukta Act has to be amended to extend the term.

Yediyurappa and Kumaraswamy are set to meet later this evening to sort out their differences over extending the term. As per rules, the government has to announce the name of the new Lok Ayukta by Thursday.