Bangalore, Feb 23 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy strongly refuted allegation that the Government kept the Governor in dark on the controversial issue of holding election to the Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman post lying vacant since last nine months.

Reacting to a letter addressed to the Legislative Council Members and sent to the Council Secretary in which the Governor had taken strong exception for not communicating his message to the members and the Presiding officer abruptly adjourning the House, Mr Kumaraswamy said that he would meet the Governor and clarify on the issue He said that the Governor had sent the letter to the Council Secretary. The contents of the letter was also leaked to the press and also to the opposition parties before it was communicated to the Council, he added.

Mr Kumaraswamy said that "there is no question of showing disrespect to the office of the Governor." It may be recalled that the Governor while directing the Council Secretary to take suitable step to hold the election to the post of Chairman which was lying vacant since last nine months had sent a message under article 175(2) of the Constitution. Under Rule 25 the message should have been communicated to the Members however the officiating Chairman of the house Mr N Thippanna had abruptly adjourned the House till March 16, one day ahead of the schedule.

UNI