Siddaramaiah rules out GO on formation of ACB

Government will not withdraw the GO.  ACB was formed to fight corruption and not aimed at weakening Lokayukta as alleged by the Opposition parties.  Lokayukta is a separate entity and it will continue to function independently and ACB was formed as per Supreme Court direction under Prevention of Corruption Act, he added.      

 In response to Opposition continuing their dharna in the Well of the Legislative Assembly for the second day, Siddramaiah, further said that police-wing now functioning under Lokayukta will continue.  ACB was not formed to shield any individual as alleged by the Opposition parties. 

ACB has been set up in 15 states across the country and they are functioning independently, he reasoned. As the House assembled for taking up day’s business, the Opposition members thronged into the Well of the House demanding withdrawal of ACB.

Y S V Dutta (JD-S) said that since public opinion is against setting up of ACB, the government should consider its withdrawal. Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar demanded that the House should have a detailed discussion on the ACB formation. Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa said the issue was discussed already and the government has replied. Hence it is a closed issue, he informed. 

When the Opposition members insisted for discussion, Thimmappa adjourned the House for five minutes and called the Chief Minister and Opposition party leaders for talks at his chamber to find a solution. After the House reassembled, Shettar announced withdrawal of dharna by his party on the assurance of the government convening a special session to discuss the issue.