Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 20: If sources in the government are to be believed, the newly elected Chief Minister of the state, D V Sadananda Gowda (DVS), has decided to become a member of the legislative council. As per law, an outsider, who becomes a minister of a state or central government, has to become a member of the legislative council or legislative assembly within six months of his swearing-in, to be able to continue in that post.

The choice of upper house has come from DVS himself, sources claim. His decision has the tacit support of the think tank of the party. It is gathered that the CM is of the opinion that holding of a fresh by election to the assembly entails resignation of a ruling party member, and then bringing the government machinery to a standstill for about two months to ensure that he gets elected.  Because, when the CM is in the race, the opposition parties try their best to defeat him, and for the government, it becomes a question of prestige. In this scenario, all the ministers are compelled to neglect their work and jump into the electioneering wagon full time, analysts said. In addition to being compelled to spend a lot for such a by election, the government is sure to face the allegation of spending huge sums of money to ensure the election of the CM, which DVS wants to avoid. All this exercises are not worth the effort, as the remaining term of the assembly is only 18 months, he feels.

At present, none of the seats in the legislative council are vacant. DVS has to resign from his membership of the Lok Sabha and then contest from a seat vacated by a ruling party legislator. Party sources expect either Siddaraju or Bharati Shetty to sacrifice their upper house seats as and when the need for the same arises.