KSE flays guv over nod for land bill

Former deputy chief minister K S Eshwarappa has accused Governor H R Bhardwaj of playing politics by not giving assent to the land revenue bill regularising houses constructed on government land in rural areas, during the BJP’s tenure.

“The bill was an initiative of the BJP government, but it was not given assent then by the Governor and the Congress had opposed the provisions of the bill. Now that the bill has got assent, will the Congress accept it?,” he sought to know.

“Bill must be withdrawn’

The BJP leader demanded that the government withdraw the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (amendment) Bill, 2013, which provides for disqualification of Gram Panchayat (GP) members and GP presidents who fail to convene meetings of ward sabhas and gram sabhas.

Eshwarappa said the bill, which has already been passed by the Assembly, was draconian and infringed upon the rights of elected representatives. He said if the government failed to withdraw the bill, the BJP would defeat it in the Council, where it has a majority.

On the re-entry of KJP leader B S Yeddyurappa into the BJP, Eshwarappa said it was for the party central leadership to take a final decision.