All norms will be followed in nominations to Council, says Governor

Amid opposition to the Congress government’s reported move to nominate active politicians to the Karnataka Legislative Council, Governor H R Bhardwaj on Thursday said all norms would be followed before recommending anyone to the Upper House.

Bhardwaj, who is here to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, told reporters that so far he had not received any names from the Karnataka government.

“If any names come to me, I will take a decision as per the provisions of the Constitution,” he said. When asked whether he would reject the proposed name of an active politician like in the case of former minister V Somanna during previous BJP regime, the governor said, “I will apply same mind.”

(sic)“I didn’t see any names so far. If it comes to me, I will study thoroughly and will take proper decision,” he said.

The proposed nomination of five members to the Karnataka Legislative Council has triggered a row.

It is said the Siddaramaiah-led government has prepared a list of five persons – V S Ugrappa, Jayamala, Abdul Jabbar, Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi and Shanthakumar – to be nominated as members of the Council. However, the Opposition BJP opposed the move saying that the nomination categories were social service, education, arts and literature, and the names of active politicians should not be considered.

The BJP also urged Rajnath Singh to prevail upon the governor to ensure that no active politician is nominated. Though Bhardwaj held discussions with Singh here on Thursday, he described it as a courtesy call.

Bhardwaj will demit office on June 28. The Congress government wants to get his approval for nominations before he demits office. As per law, the nominations can be effected only at the end of term of the incumbent nominated members, which falls on June 21.