Adi ouster: Will BJP documents nail TB Jayachandra?

BENGALURU: Leaders of the state unit of BJP on Tuesday released documents to nail law minister T.B. Jayachandra, who created confusion over a motion adopted by the Legislative Assembly for ouster of Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhas B Adi.

Former law minister S Suresh Kumar told the media here that the statement made by Mr Jayachandra tantamount to breach of privilege of the House, and post elections to the upper House, his party would take a decision on the future course of action. “It is in the proceedings of the House and Law Minister, who is incharge of the Assembly proceedings can not say that it is not there. He should realise that the government is creation of legislature and not the other way round. The government can not use legislature and its proceedings like a toy,” he added. Mr Suresh Kumar released a copy of the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, dated November 27, where Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa had asked Congress MLA Mr Tanvir Sait to move the motion for removal of Justice Mr Adi as Upa Lokayukta. After Mr Sait moved the motion, the Speaker said: “I have studied the proposal and supporting documents. I have also discussed the issue with registrar of Lokayukta, the investigating officer and Advocate General. I have obtained some information from Lokayukta office as well as DPAR. I am convinced prima-facie of the allegations in the proposal and the motion is admitted.''

On Monday, however, the ruling party executed a U-turn over removal of Upa Lokayukta Justice Adi, and said the Speaker had not admitted the motion. Mr Jayachandra went to Mr Thimmappa to inquire about the Advocate General's stand in the court. At that point of time, the Speaker sought documents which the ruling party had promised to enable him to take the issue of Justice Adi’s removal forward. Mr Jayachandra mentioned about Justice Majage’s report and tried to give details of allegations levelled by Mr Ugrappa. Irked by these explanations, the Speaker said he would not forward the motion, as nothing could be established against Justice Adi. This forced Mr Jayachandra to tell the media that the Speaker had not accepted the motion, sources in legislature secretariat told DC.

Meanwhile, Mr Suresh Kumar asked why the Speaker admitted the motion in the House. He said the party would take a stand on whether to move a privilege motion against the law minister or not. “After elections to upper House, Opposition leaders of both Houses will decide how to take the issue forward,” he added.