Karnataka Governor would approve Santosh Hegde as Lokayukta

  Karnataka Governor Hans Raj Bharadwaj has thrown in another googly at the BJP government in the state. After first rejecting former Kerala High Court judge Justice Bannurmath's name for the post of Lokayukta in the state, Mr Bharadwaj has said he would approve of Santosh Hegde if the government were to re-appoint him as the Lokayukta.

The government had suggested that Justice Bannurmath be appointed as the Karnataka Lokayukta. The file was sent to Mr Bharadwaj for approval, who replied saying 'the state needs someone clean' after a section of the media reported that Justice Bannurmath too is allegedly involved in a land scam.

The Lokayukta post has been vacant for the past two months. The Governor's recommendation in the appointment of the Lokayukta, however, is not binding on the government.  

Mr Hegde, a former Supreme Court judge, retired from the post in August this year. His successor Justice Shivraj Patil quit office abruptly in September after allegations of involvement in a land scam.