By Firoz.T.Totanawala
The Bangalore Metro Reporter
OUT OF RACE!
GOVERNOR REJECTS THE FILE, BANNURMATH WITHDRAWS
With the Governor flatly rejecting Justice Bannurmath’s name for the Lokayukta and Bannurmath himself opting out of the scene, the issue now sports a full stop. The government which stuck to Bannurmath’s name for the last five months will have to choose another person for the post. More than anybody else, it is Chief Minister D.V.Sadananda Gowda who heaves a sigh of the big relief.
There was a running feud between the Governor and the government over the appointment of Lokayukta ever since Justice Shivaraj Patil resigned over site controversy. In fact, Lokayukta post has assumed great importance as Yedurappa and few other BJP leaders are facing charges and the Lokayukta has to probe them. There are many sensitive issues to be dealt by the Lokayukta which can make or mar the fortunes of Yedurappa, his family and other leaders.
It is because of these factors, the choice of Lokayukta is very important. It is alleged that Yedurappa suggested Bannurmath, the former CJ of Kerala High Court and Sadananda Gowda sent the name of Bannurmath to the Governor for issuing necessary appointment orders. However, Bannurmath’s name also appears in the ineligible beneficiary list of site recipients meant for judicial employees.
The moment Bannurmath’s name was proposed as the Lokayukta, the controversy surfaced again. The Governor was quick to act and withheld the clearance of Bannurmath’s name for the Lokayukta post. His argument was that the Lokayukta post is a very sensitive and important one that needs men of impeccable quality and standard. Further, since Bannurmath is also involved in similar ‘site’ controversy, there is a possibility that he too resigns after the appointment once the issue becomes too hot.
But the government stood committed on Bannurmath’s name. Sadananda Gowda refused to suggest any other name and made it clear that the government’s one and only choice is Bannurmath. Even BJP leaders including state BJP President K.S.Eswarappa, Law Minister Suresh Kumar etc. made it clear that it is better for the governor to sign the order appointing Bannurmath instead of creating problems. In fact, the state BJP leadership had even decided to take out a delegation to the President demanding recall of the Governor for having refused to appoint Bannurmath as the Lokayukta.
As such the Bannurmath issue had become a feud between Governor and the BJP. For ordinary people, it was clear that Bannurmath’s choice is not only that of Yedurappa but also of BJP. It had taken a political colour. Still, Sadananda Gowda stood his ground and made many attempts to convince the governor for appointing Bannurmath. For full five months, there is no Lokayukta in the state. In fact, the Governor has advised Sadananda Gowda to suggest any other name whose integrity is intact and that he will clear the name within minutes.
Of course, while all these statements, counter statements were being made, Bannurmath remained aloof. Few prominent writers and intellectuals also made a public appeal to Bannurmath to reject the post to enhance his standing in public esteem. Rightly or wrongly, an impression was created among the people that Bannurmath was the personal choice of Yedurappa who want him to be the Lokayukta to white wash his various sins. Still, Bannurmath never said ‘no’ to the Lokayukta post and his silence damaged his image.
Then, the other day, the Governor officially rejected the name of Bannurmath to the Lokayukta post and officially asked Sadananda Gowda to suggest other names to the post. It is said that the governor’s rejection came after the refusal of Chief Justice to pursue the name of Bannurmath to the Lokayukta post aftermath the controversies about his candidature.
Once the Governor has officially rejected the government’s proposal to appoint Bannurmath as the Lokayukta, the government has to act. It has to send the name of Bannurmath again to the Governor for clearance. But, the governor in unequivocal terms has declared that he will not clear Bannurmath’s name under any circumstance. Thus, there stands minimal chance of Bannurmath’s appointment.
Then, Bannurmath, within minutes of Governor rejecting his name, wrote a letter to the Chief Minister withdrawing his name from the Lokayukta race. He held a press conference to explain the reasons for withdrawal but there were no takers for his version. Bannurmath had tried to explain his closeness to Yedurappa by saving that he is not his relative and the only common thing between them is that they both belong to the same caste!
Whatsoever, now there is a clear ‘full stop’ to the Bannurmath issue and the government should not waste any more time in appointing a new Lokayukta.
And that is all.
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