Bannurmath opts out of Lokayukta post,slams Governor Bhardwaj

I have lost mental peace due to baseless allegations,which is affecting my image: Bannurmath

S R Bannurmath today opted out of the post of Lokayaukta,hurt by the allegations of Governor H R Bhardwaj who rejected the BJP Government’s recommendation for his appointment as Lokayukta.

Bannurmath questioned the motive behind the Governor’s action and said Bhardwaj was citing reasons other than alleged land scam and linking him can be seen as “a ploy to give way for other political consideration”.

“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,” Bannurmath

said reading out from his letter to Gowda.

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The post of Lokayukta has remained vacant since September19 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 Lokayukta. However Gujrat has moved the Supreme Court questioning the Governor’s action in appointing Lokayukta unilaterally without consulting the state government.