Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 30: The opposition in the legislative council doggedly held on to its demand for tabling of Anwar Manippady report relating to managing of Wakf properties in the state in the house. As the government remained adamant on its decision not to bow under pressure on this issue, both BJP and JDS have sought the intervention of the state governor in the matter.

A delegation led by leader of the opposition in the council, K S Eshwarappa, met governor, Vajubhai Vala, and explained to him the situation and also the contents of Anwar Manippady report that has reportedly found fault with several people for misappropriation and mishandling of Walkf properties.

Speaking to media persons later, Eshwarappa, said that about Rs 15 lac crores worth of Wakf properties have been misappropriated. "We have provided details to the governor. We have also asked him to interfere in the matter, as he has the responsibility of intervening whenever the state faces constitutional crisis. We have accordingly urged him to direct the government to table the said report in the legislative council," he stated.

Eshwarappa said that council chairman, Shankaramurty, has already met the governor and given him details on the issue, and that the governor had positively responded to their request. He has not only sought response from the government on the issue, but also called for legal opinion. Based on responses, further measures would be initiated, Eshwarappa added.

Eshwarappa blamed the government of showing brazen imprudence in the matter after accepting to table the report in the Houses, with chairman of the council, and at the advisory committee on proceedings. He accused the government of trying to shield several Congress leaders involved with this fraud by blocking presentation of the report. He urged the government to accept the ruling passed by the chairman on the issue and table the said report forthwith.

He further felt that the government will not be able to shield the wrongdoers anymore as the issue will now be decided by the governor. He said that the governor expressed surprise about the report not being tabled in the council as per constitutional requirement. He said that the BJP, which had also fought during previous session for the tabling of the report, will carry on the fight till the report is presented in the house.

BJP legislative council members, Go Madhusudan and Capt Ganesh Karnik, JDS council members, Puttanna and T S Sharavana, as well as former chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, Anwar Manippady, and others were present.