Bangalore: Appointment of Lokayukta - Can't Follow Gujarat Example, says Guv

Bangalore, Jan 19 (IANS): Karnataka Governor H. R. Bhardwaj indicated Wednesday that he cannot follow the example of his Gujarat counterpart and appoint a Lokayukta (ombudsman) on his own.

"I don't think I have powers. Without the approval of the (state) government, I can't appoint Lokayukta," he told reporters on the margins of a function when asked for his comment on the Gujarat High Court upholding Governor Kamla Beniwal's decision to appoint R. A. Mehta as the state Lokayukta.

Bhardwaj, who has declined to accept Karnataka government's nominee as new Lokayukta because of a controversy, shot back: "Why do you bring in Gujarat here."

He said he does not "subscribe to that view (that a governor can appoint the Lokayukta on his/her own)."

The Karnataka Lokayukta Act "is very clear. Without the approval of the government, it cannot be done. It involves multiple consultation process", Bhardwaj said.

The Karnataka act says the government will have to send the name of person to be appointed Lokayukta to the governor in consultation with the leaders of the opposition in the two houses of the legislature, presiding officers of the two houses and the chief justice of the state high court.

Karnataka's Bharatiya Janata Party government headed by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda has recommended the name of former Kerala high court chief justice S. R. Bannurmath.

But Bhardwaj has withheld consent following a row that Bannurmath has built a house in Bangalore on a site meant for civic amenities like a park or building for community use.

The Lokayukta post is vacant since Sep 19 when former Supreme Court judge Shivaraj V. Patil quit over a row that he has acquired two house sites from two housing cooperative societies in violation of rules.

"I have requested the chief minister to send a proposal to me. He is making efforts. I can't send names. I am not entitled to," Bhardwaj, a former central law minister, said.