Bangalore, Feb 23 (UNI) Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi took strong exception to the abrupt adjournment of the Council Session on February 20 without making his message known to the members on the issue of holding elections to the Chairman post, which had been lying vacant for the last nine months.

In a press statement issued last night, he also criticised the Opposition Congress for taking up the issues of Upper House in the Assembly and on the behaviour of some of the senior MLAs (Congress) who disrupted the proceedings in the House against convention.

The Governor had asked the government to keep the Chairman post vacant since June 18 last year. ''The post was kept vacant for an inordinately long period of time and delaying the elections for political convenience,'' he added.

Mr Chaturvedi said he had sent a message addressed to the members of the Council, suggesting both the ruling coalition partners and the Opposition to arrive at a mutual settlement, as the Legislative Council, being the House of Elders, should try and preserve its dignity and autonomous working.

In his message, the Governor had impressed upon the members that the office of the Chairman could not remain vacant for a long period and it was mandatory for the Council to elect the Chairman with ''convenient dispatch''.

The issue of delay in holding the elections had led to disruption of the Upper House and suspension of Opposition Congress members.

Later, the Assembly was also rocked by the Opposition over the issue until it was adjourned for March 16.

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