All eyes on CLP meet on June 5, RS poll selection to dominate?

Mysore: In a sudden development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday announced that the Congress legislature party (CLP) would meet on June 5 but refused to answer queries on the issues likely to come up saying there was no pre-fixed agenda.

Sources said the CLP meeting would be a stormy affair with party legislators likely to be given the freedom to speak on burning issues like the style of functioning of cabinet ministers and the contentious selection for Rajya Sabha seats.

Reacting to reports that he had opposed the nomination of former Union minister P. Chidambaram to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the matter never came up for discussion during the recent visit of Digvijay Singh, party observer for Karnataka.

Mr Siddaramaiah also hinted that the appointment of presidents and chairpersons of various boards and corporations would be made very soon. He regretted that the posts were lying vacant for the last one year and said the process got delayed due to the Lok Sabha elections. “The selection of candidates is in the final stages and very soon, the final list will be announced. Many Congress loyalists have applied, the selection will be done purely on the basis of merit without considering political factors”.

On the ADGP Ravindranath controversy, Mr. Siddaramaiah refused to make any comment. He said the matter is being investigated by the CID and the Principal Secretary is looking into the case.

He advised activists agitating against transfer of New Type Model School (NTMS) to Ramakrishna Ashram to file a caveat in the High Court as the State government’s order to go ahead with the process of admitting students for the academic year 2014-15 is likely to be challenged by the rival group.