Launching a tirade against Bhardwaj a day after he 'formally' rejected his appointment, Bannurmath questioned the motive behind the action of Governor.
Hurt by 'personal and reckless' allegations of Governor HR Bhardwaj who rejected the BJP Government's recommendation for his appointment as Lok Ayukta, former Kerala high court chief justice SR Bannurmath today opted out of the post ending the three-month long stand-off.
Launching a tirade against Bhardwaj a day after he 'formally' rejected his appointment, Bannurmath questioned the motive behind the action of Governor. He said Bhardwaj citing reasons other than alleged land scam linking him can be seen as "a ploy to give way for other political consideration".
Maintaining that the continued attack in the press on his integrity and character were totally based on "false, baseless, legally untenable and hurtful allegations", he told reporters here that he had requested Chief Minister D V Sadananada Gowda not to consider him for the post.
"I have lost mental peace and my health is affected on account of false and baseless allegations affecting my image and reputation in the eyes of the public. I am not in a position to bear this torture and humiliation any more," he said reading out from his letter to Gowda.
Bhardwaj, who had insisted on 'spotless' candidate for the Lok Ayukta post, had expressed reservations over Bannurmath's choice citing a land allotment controversy involving him.
The post of Lok Ayukta has remained vacant since September 19 after former Supreme Court Judge Shivaraj Patil, who succeeded Santosh Hegde, quit in the wake of allegations of getting land allotment in violation of rules. `
Karnatka is the second BJP ruled state after Gujarat to be rocked by a row involving the Governor on the appointment of Lok Ayukta. Gujarat has moved the Supreme Court questioning the Governor's action in appointing Lok Ayukta unilaterally without consulting the state government.
Targeting Bhardwaj, Bannurmath asked: "Is there is no code of decent conduct expected to be followed and respected by high Constitutional functionaries in the matter of making public allegations against a person being considered for the Lok Ayukta appointment?"
Asserting that he had 'a spotless, clean and blemishless legal career of 38 years', he said his choice for Lok Ayukta post was based on his 'competence' and not because he was from Lingayat community or his proximity to former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, who also hails from the same caste.
He said the "personal and reckless" allegations made by the Governor raised doubt and many questions which call for effective answers.
Gowda said the government would soon set in motion the process to look for another candidate for the Lokayukta post.
He said the letter written by Bannurmath, requesting him not to pursue his name for the Lokayukta post, reached him last night.
The government would take up the exercise of eliciting the opinion of Presiding officers of both houses, floor leaders of the legislatures and the state High Court Chief Justice in selecting a judge to head the Lokayukta institution, the Chief Minister said.
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