MLA to seek abolition of Legislative Council

JD(S) legislator M T Krishnappa has written to Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa to allow him move a private member resolution in the Assembly seeking abolition of the Legislative Council.

In a letter to Thimmappa, copies of which were released to the press on Monday, the MLA has stated that the Upper House had lost relevance for which it was constituted. As per the Constitution, the Assembly has the powers to constitute and abolish the Upper House.

Krishnappa stated that the Legislative Council was established in 1907 with a view to associating with the government  qualified people with rich experience and knowledge in varied fields to assist the state in making laws. Provisions were made to nominate people of repute in fields of education, law, science, among others, to the Council.

Krishnappa, in his letter and draft resolution, has stated that the composition of the recent Legislative Councils did not have any representation of eminent people. “Instead, the Council has become a platform for politicians who lose direct elections to make a backdoor entry ,” the resolution states.

Krishnappa has stated that many states do not have Legislative Councils and Karnataka, too, could do without the Upper House.