BJP, Bhardwaj on collision course over Lokayukta

BANGALORE: The BJP government in Karnataka and Governor H R Bhardwaj are on a collision course over the appointment of new Lokayukta, with the Raj Bhavan missive finding no immediate favour with Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar today said after a cabinet meeting that the government has followed "precedents" and consulted Chief Justice of the high court, leaders of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and Council and presiding officers of both Houses before recommending the name of former Chief Justice of Kerala High Court, Justice S R Bannuramth to head the anti-corruption agency.Bhardwaj had written to the government asking it to "rethink" Bannurmath's name, citing reports in a section of the press (about alleged land-grabbing charges against him), among others.Kumar said the chief minister has already met the governor twice and explained the government's stand (on the choice of Bannurmath) and "the method adopted by the government in which we have followed precedents till now in Karnataka".In response to questions, he said Gowda is going through the governor's letter and would take the "next course of action" after studying it.The government recommended Bannurmath's name three weeks ago, but reports in a section of the press thereafter alleging that he secured allotment of a residential site in a judicial layout on land earmarked for civic amenities apparently led to his name not being cleared.Government sources said Bhardwaj has orally suggested appointment of former Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court K H N Kuranga."But we don't want to be dictated by the governor," a senior Karnataka minister said, adding the government is firm on the choice of Justice Bannurmath.Justice V Shivaraj Patil quit as Karnataka Lokayukta in September within six weeks in office, after succeeding Justice N Santosh Hegde, following allegations of getting a site in a housing cooperative society in violation of cooperative societies by-laws.On Bhardwaj's reported statement that the government is not serious on the appointment of Lokayukta, a post which is lying vacant for two months, Suresh Kumar said, "Only answer I can give is 'We are serious in following the letter and spirit of the Lokayukta Act'."