BJP accuses Congress govt of trying to wind up Lokayukta in Karnataka

Bengaluru: BJP members in the Karnataka Assembly continued their dharna for the second day on Wednesday, accusing the Congress government of trying to wind up the Lokayukta institution, but later withdrew it following an appeal by the Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa.

Opposition BJP leader Jagadish Shettar alleged that the government was trying to tarnish the image of Upa Lokayukta Subhash Adi, with the ultimate aim of winding up the anti-graft ombudsman.

Congress is preparing grounds for removal of Upa Lokayukta Subhash Adi.

A motion seeking removal of controversial Karnataka Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao over an alleged extortion racket in the anti-graft ombudsman's office involving his son is before the Assembly.

Ruling Congress had earlier announced its "complete" support to the motion which came up before the House nearly two weeks after the ball was set rolling for removal of Rao, with Opposition parties petitioning the Speaker and the Legislative Council Chairman in this regard.

After admitting the motion, Thimmappa had said he along with the Council Chairman, will prepare a draft and will consult members before forwarding it to Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court for inquiry into the charges against Rao.

Rao, who has been refusing to budge despite calls for his resignation, is on a long leave since July last after his son Ashwin Rao was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the case.

Former Upa Lokayukta SB Majage had earlier alleged that Adi had closed a case of misconduct against a medical officer from Hubballi, which was actually a case handled by him.

Following this, some Congress leaders had demanded Adi's resignation. They had also alleged that the medical officer was a relative of Shettar during whose tenure as Chief Minister Adi was appointed as Upa Lokayukta.

As the House began proceedings today, the BJP members continued the dharna they had launched yesterday.

Shettar said there were no corruption charges against Adi and it was condemnable that efforts were being made for his removal.

Later, the BJP members withdrew their dharna after Thimappa's appeal.