Santosh Hegde welcomes SC order on floor test in Assembly

Former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde welcomed the Supreme Court’s order to conduct a floor test in the state Assembly on Saturday. Hegde also supported Governor Vajubhai R Vala’s decision to invite the BJP to prove the majority but opposed the long duration of 15 days given for the purpose.

Justice Hegde was delivering a lecture on ‘What is left of Democracy in India?’ as organised by Vidyavardhaka Law College here on Friday.

He said the Supreme Court’s order will be law as per Article 141 and the order in connection with the proving of a majority would be helpful for all the states in future.

He said that in the S R Bommai case, the SC had passed a judgement stating that any party which obtains more number of seats in the Assembly can be invited to prove the majority and hence, Karnataka Governor’s decision is proper. But, it is not right to give so much time to prove the majority. A short notice, can avoid horse trading, he said.

Pointing at the ongoing political developments in the state, Justice Hegde said the voters are responsible for such situations.

“There would be no issues if the voters cast their votes properly. If the voters don’t find any right candidate, they can choose None of the above (NOTA) option. It sends a clear message to the candidates to be alert,” he said.

Recalling the illegal mining issues, Justice Hegde said that in 2010, during the tenure of the BJP government, Congress leaders led by Siddaramaiah, took out a padayatra from Bengaluru to Ballari against the mining mafia but the Congress government, which came to power in 2013, failed to implement the recommendations of his report on illegal mining. The Congress government weakened the Lokayukta and gave all powers to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), he added.

Ridiculing the Congress manifesto, Justice Hegde said the party, which weakened the Lokayukta, has assured to strengthen the institution. He opined that the candidature of a person from two-constituency should be banned.

“If the candidate wins both the segments, a by-election is inevitable. Such wasteful expenses should be avoided,” he said.