Bangalore: Reminds him how he rejected BJP govt’s recommendation to nominate Somanna
The State BJP on Sunday urged Governor H R Bhardwaj not to nominate Congress leaders to the Legislative Council in the wake of the State government’s move to recommend names of five persons, including Congress leaders, for the nominations.
A delegation of the BJP leaders, including Jagadish Shettar, leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, former deputy chief minister R Ashoka and V Somanna, submitted a memorandum to the Governor at the Raj Bhavan and requested him to prevent the government from making the Upper House a political rehabilitation centre.
Persons with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, co-operative movement and social service are to be nominated to the Upper House as per Article 171, sub clause 5 of the Constitution of India.
The State government’s move to nominate political leaders is against the Constitution, the party said in the memorandum.
No semblance
“The present dispensation in the State has no semblance of respect towards Rule of Law or the Constitution. The government has proposed five persons who are active politicians of the ruling party. The recommended candidates were either defeated or were denied party tickets in the previous elections,” it stated and added that the nominations should be rejected.
The party has reminded Bhardwaj as to how he had rejected the recommendation made by the then BJP government to nominate V Somanna to the Council.
“The earlier precedents have clearly established that political activists have been denied nomination under this clause. Here, we would like to bring to your notice that the nomination of V Somanna in 2010 was rejected by your kind self on the same grounds. A firm stand has been thereby, established by his excellency,” the memorandum said.
‘Will uphold Constitution’
Speaking to reporters after meeting the Governor, Shettar expressed hope that the Governor will uphold the Constitution.
“The issue will be raised in the legislature session commencing on Monday. Issues of law and order, drought and problems of sugar cane farmers will also be raised,” he added.
Final list likely today
The State government is reportedly planning to revise the list of names to be recommended to the Governor for nomination to the Legislative Council and is likely to come out with the final list on Monday.
According to party sources chief minister Siddaramaiah is under pressure to replace Shanta Kumar with that of Ivan D’Souza in the list.
Similarly, it is learnt that many leaders from Gulbarga have opposed the move to nominate Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi.
Though Governor H R Bhardwaj returned to Bangalore on Saturday evening after his visit to Delhi, the government could not finalise and send the list for nominations to Raj Bhavan on Sunday.
The chief minister had shortlisted V S Ugrappa, Saradagi, Abdul Jabbar, Shanta Kumar and Jayamala.
But the Opposition, BJP, has petitioned the Governor against nominating Congress leaders to the Upper House.
