Bangalore: Somanna’s Nomination to Council Rejected
DHNS
Bangalore, Feb 4: Governor H R Bhardwaj on Wednesday rejected the nomination of former minister V Somanna to the Legislative Council even as he approved the names of RSS functionary K P Krishna Bhat and cine actor-turned-politician Jaggesh to the Upper House. The recommendations were made by Chief Minister Yeddyurappa.
It is learnt that the Governor rejected the nomination of Somanna on the grounds that only those who have rendered services to society should be nominated to the Council.
V Somanna, Jaggesh, KP Krishna Bhat
He observed, “Somanna was earlier with the Congress and later defected to the BJP. He became minister and lost the elections. Defection is a political nuisance.”
Article 171 (C) of the Constitution provides for nomination of persons with special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service, and Somanna does not fall under these categories.
It is learnt that Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who is keen on nominating Somanna, is contemplating recommending his nomination for the second time, to the Governor.
“If the recommendation is made for the second time, the decision of the Governor will not change,” sources in Raj Bhavan said. Such rejection by the Governor is not unprecedented in the State politics. In 2004, the then Governor T N Chaturvedi had rejected the nomination of Bandeppa Kashampur during the S M Krishna regime on the grounds that he was into liquor business and an active politician.
There was strong opposition to Somanna’s name in the BJP circles also. A close-confidante of Yeddyurappa, Somanna was made Housing Minister soon after he joined the saffron fold. However, he was trounced in the by-polls by young turk Priya Krishna of the Congress and eventually had to resign from the Cabinet.
Film actor Jaggesh had also quit as a Congress legislator to join the BJP. However, he did not contest the by-polls from his home constituency Turuvekere, but took over as Vice-chairman of KSRTC.
Prof Krishna Bhat hails from Shimoga, the home district of the CM and has been the mentor of the several BJP leaders including Ananth Kumar and Aravind Limbavali. Prof Bhat, an educationist, was president of the state unit of ABVP. Cine-actor Tara’s name was also doing the rounds initially, however, was left out to accommodate Jaggesh.