BANGALORE: The deadlock between the state government and Raj Bhavan over the appointment of the new Lokayukta is likely to end soon with the former apparently heeding to Governor H R Bhardwaj’s suggestion to recommend a good name for the coveted post.
Bhardwaj told reporters after administering oath of office to new Upa Lokayukta Justice Chandrashekharaiah on Sunday, that Chief Minister D V Sadananda
Gowda had promised to come up with another name soon and he would take no time to clear the person if he was suitable.
“Things have started moving in the right direction. The CM had said that he would get back to me after consulting his party leaders. I am confident that the issue will be resolved in a week or ten days,” he said.
Reiterating his reservation to accept Justice H R Bannurmath as recommended by the state government, Bharadwaj said: “There is no question of appointing Bannurmath. I am here to uphold the law and integrity of the institution. If you appoint a man who lacks integrity, we will be doing a great disservice to society.”
The Governor said that he had nothing against the former Kerala High Court chief justice, but the events that led to his selection made him suspicious about the entire exercise. “I have not said a word against Justice Bannurmath. He is a very good friend of mine. I have absolutely nothing against
him,” he added.
He clarified that his anti-Bannurmath stand had nothing to do with the Justice allegedly owning a site in the controversial Judicial layout. “The site is not an issue. I am not bothered about who owns what site. Justice Thomas’ case was in my mind when I was handling the Bannurmath file,”
Bharadwaj said.
He seemed to be
unhappy with the way the government was handling the Lokayukta report.
“Developments post the submission of the Lokayukta report made me feel that some vested interests are against its implementation. I will not allow it,” Bharadwaj said, referring to the sudden transfer of few of the Lokayukta police officials who were investigating the mining scam.