Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H K Patil on Wednesday announced his decision to give up all perks and privileges extended to him by the Council Secretariat.

This comes in the wake of debate going on whether he should continue in his post or not following imposition of President’s rule in the State. Patil has written a letter to the Council Chairman B K Chandrashekar in this regard.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Patil however did not clarify whether he would resign from his post or not. “Let a healthy debate take place on the issue of whether the Leader of  the Opposition should continue in office or not when the Council is in suspended animation. But my view is that I have been given this position by my party and the Council has only recognised my position. As long as the Congress is being recognised as the principal opposition party in the House and my party wants me to head it, I would continue in the post”, he observed.

Patil said that soon after imposition of President’s Rule in the State, he had written a letter to the Council Chairman B K Chandrashekar on October 17, 2007, seeking clarifications on issues such as whether he should continue as leader of the opposition or not, whether he can avail perks and privileges or not. But the Council chairman has not replied to his letter so far.

Can continue
Patil said even though the Rajya Sabha Secretariat had clarified to the State Legislative Council Secretary K Jayashankar Murthy on December 5, 2007, quoting the precedent of Dr Manmohan Singh that he (Patil) could continue as leader of the opposition, to enable a healthy debate on the issue and arrive at a decision he had decided to surrender the perks and privileges.

Dr Manmohan Singh continued as leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha after the dissolution of the 13th Lok Sabha in February, 2004. 

To a query, Patil said he was of the view that since the legislators are being paid their salary now, besides certain privileges, their services should be utilised in extraordinary situations like it was at present in the State.