Rejecting a plea by three Karnataka ministers, Governor H R Bhardwaj today decided to refer to the Election Commission a complaint seeking their disqualification from legislature membership on grounds of conflict of interest.
Bhardwaj’s decision came after he concluded hearing on the petition filed by Congress MLC K C Kondaiah, during which none of the ministers — all mine owners — were present but sent their counsels. “It is a fit case for reference to the Election Commission for its opinion under Article 192(2) of the Constitution and therefore a reference has been made to the Election Commission of India for opinion in the matter,” a Raj Bhavan statement said.
In a statement submitted during the hearing, counsels for Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy, his brother and Revenue Minister G Karunakura Reddy and their associate Health Minister B Sreeramulu, sought dismissal of the petition, saying it lacked any material to be referred to the EC. Karunakara Reddy and Sreeramulu are members of the state assembly, while Janardhana Reddy is an MLC.
Kondaiah, who also hails from mine-rich Bellary district, in his January 13 complaint had charged the three with being involved in massive businesses in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and illegal mining. Citing conflict of interest, Kondaiah had sought their disqualification, saying their continuing in the Cabinet would influence decisions in favour of their business activities.
On the basis of the complaint, the governor on January 19 issued a notice under Article 191 of Constitution (relating to disqualification provisions) seeking replies from Reddy brothers and Sreeramulu. Earlier, K Raghavacharyalu, Counsel for Janardhana Reddy and Sreeramulu and Ravishankar, counsel for Karunakara Reddy argued before the Governor that these allegations were no grounds to disqualify a member.
Raghavacharyalu told reporters he has also furnished copies of judgement of various courts, including Supreme Court, to the Governor. Bhardwaj was told that “It is just a political petition filed for political gain”, Raghavacharyalu said.
Last month, Bhardwaj had issued show cause notices to the three ministers asking them to appear before him in person today, which stirred a major controversy, with some BJP leaders, including its state unit president K S Eswarappa mounting a verbal attack on the governor.
