In a first step towards honouring his government's promise to strengthen the institution of Lok Ayukta, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has convened a meeting of floor leaders of both the houses of legislatures here tomorrow to elicit their views on the issue.
“The chief minister will be eliciting the view of floor leaders of Opposition parties tomorrow. Then on the basis of the opinions expressed, the government may formulate its opinion," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters here.
Yeddyurappa while replying to the debate on illegal mining and other issues, which earlier forced Lok Ayukta Santosh Hegde to decide on quitting, was expected to make announcements in the assembly over giving more powers to the institution, he said.
Yeddyurappa has also convened an emergent meeting of the Cabinet tomorrow. Replying to a query, Suresh Kumar said "an emergent meeting of the cabinet has been called tomorrow. But I am not aware of the agenda." He declined to say whether the cabinet was likely to discuss the issue of granting more powers to the ombudsman, on the basis of such an assurance Hegde chose to relent on his firm stand of quitting. Hegde had on June 23 announced his decision to quit as Lokayukta but withdrew the resignation last Saturday heeding to appeals from senior BJP leader L K Advani. The former Supreme Court Judge yesterday apologised to the people, who stood by him after he resigned, for not informing them about his decision to stay on.
