MLC nominations in Karnataka: Arena of achievers or centre for pol rehab?

Over the years, several achievers have been nominated as MLCs. They include writer Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, Dalit poet Siddalingaiah, journalists Khadri Shamanna and P Ramaiah and film stars like Anant Nag, Arathi, Srinath, B Jayamma, B Saroja Devi and so on. However, several academicians and ex-lawmakers feel this trend has disappeared and replaced by hard political calculations.

There are four vacant positions in the Karnataka Legislative Council, which are to be filled up by persons accomplished in the fields of art, literature, science, social service and so on. They will be nominated by the Governor based on the government’s advice. 

Will eminent personalities make the cut, with the ruling Congress witnessing intense lobbying for the four positions? 

Senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu, Dalit activist D G Sagar, advocate-cooperator Ramesh Babu and Karnataka NRI Forum deputy chairperson Arathi Krishna were shortlisted for the four positions. However, demands from within Congress to reward “party workers” have put these names on hold. 

The agitation within Congress has brought back the focus on the ethics of MLC nominations over the years. 

Karnataka is among the six states in the country with a bicameral legislature. In the 75-member Legislative Council, 11 are nominated by the Governor. 

The longstanding consensus about the Council (Upper House) has been that it provides a platform for intellectuals and field experts to voice their opinion about administration and provide a much-needed non-political and scholarly vision to governance. 

Against that backdrop, the gubernatorial nominations assume greater significance, as these appointments are meant exclusively for achievers in different specified fields. 

According to Article 171 (3) (e) (5) of the Constitution, the persons nominated by the Governor should have “special knowledge or practical experience” in fields like art, literature, science, social service and cooperative movement.

Over the years, several achievers have been nominated as MLCs. They include writer Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, Dalit poet Siddalingaiah, journalists Khadri Shamanna and P Ramaiah and film stars like Anant Nag, Arathi, Srinath, B Jayamma, B Saroja Devi and so on. 

Eminent Hindustani classical musicians such as Mallikarjun Mansur and Gangubai Hangal also entered the Upper House.

However, several academicians and ex-lawmakers feel this trend has disappeared and replaced by hard political calculations.

Of the aforementioned five categories, experts feel ‘social service’ has been exploited the most. 

With the line separating social service and politics is thin, there are multiple recent cases, where career politicians have been accommodated as social workers. Parties have preferred loyalists, as it makes passage of Bills and deliberations in favour of the government easier.

Recently, Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. “This time, I am hopeful that you will appoint achievers,” Horatti wrote. “Of late, defeated candidates in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections and followers of prominent politicians are being nominated. I feel we cannot get any service from such individuals.”

“This dilution started after the 1980s,” senior journalist C Rudrappa said, adding that the trend of “creating” records had started. “Earlier, Council nominations recognised achievers. These days, credentials are being created. A person who may have written a book or an article many years ago will still be considered a writer or journalist. Money and muscle power are being rewarded and the sanctity of nominations has gone,” he said. 

While most of the aforementioned achievers have genuine contributions to their fields, a nuanced analysis suggests that even in the case of many stalwarts, the timing of their appointments was perceivably influenced by their political affiliations. 

For instance, despite being eminent actors, Anant Nag and Srinath were nominated as MLCs after they identified themselves with the Janata Party and BJP, respectively. 

Similarly, Jaggesh and Tara Anuradha have been active BJP leaders for some years, while Umashree and Jayamala are with Congress.

Despite their credentials as writers, some critics questioned the appointment of Dr L Hanumanthaiah and Doddarangeowda, as they were perceived to be close to Congress and the BJP ideologies, respectively.

A senior journalist, who wished not to be named, explained that most nominations invariably have a political angle. 

After MLCs are nominated, most of them identify themselves with the party nominating them. However, Gandhian academician Dr H Narasimhaiah and Gangubhai Hangal were exceptions; they remained ‘independent’ MLCs.

There have also been instances of eminent personalities rejecting offers to be made MLCs. According to well-placed sources, veteran journalist and former editor of Prajavani T S Ramachandra Rao rejected an offer by the then chief minister D Devaraj Urs to be an MLC. Sources also pointed out that writer Devanur Mahadeva refused to become an MLC during the Ramakrishna Hegde-led Janata Party’s rule.

Are political parties in a mood to reconsider and push for more non-partisan nominations? The reality might not be very optimistic.

It doesn’t feel the Council deserves to be called the upper house anymore. While achievers were given prominence earlier, the council nominations of late are being driven by political compulsions. This can be observed across the political spectrum.

M C Nanaiah, veteran politician and former MLC