[Breaking] Karnataka High Court seeks response from Yediyurappa government on challenge to appointment of NR Santosh as Political Secretary

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday sought the response of the State government in a plea challenging the appointment of NR Santosh as Political Secretary to Karnataka Chief Minister, BS Yediyurappa. .The plea filed by Advocate Umapathi S has contended that the post of 'Political Secretary' was created and accorded Cabinet status by the Chief Minister in an arbitrary manner, without the backing of any rules or regulations. .The petitioner states that CM Yediyurappa had directed the State government to issue an order appointing Santosh as the 'Political Secretary' to the CM with immediate effect, and on May 29, the State did so. .Owing to opposition within the government and its party members, the May 29 notification was not given effect, the plea states. However, on June 22, the CM issued another note to the State government directing the appointment of Santosh to the same post. .Questioning this, the petitioner submitted a representation to the CM and the State government on October 9. It is the petitioner's case that the government refused to accept the representation, which when sent by post, was returned unclaimed to the sender. .Raising serious objection to the newly created post, the PIL states, ."The present appointment of the third respondent as the Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of the State is tainted with arbitrariness, favourtism and nontransparency since neither the State government or the Chief Minister can create such Post of "political secretary" to himself by giving Cabinet Status. There is no legislation by the assembly of the State of Karnataka codifying the method of appointment, functions and perks of a 'political secretary'. Not even proper Rule or Regulation in exceriucse of its executive power, so gar, has been framed by the State creating the Post of 'Political Secretary'.".The PIL further alleges that the new post was created to achieve a "collateral political purpose" and not for the discharge of any public duties. .Further, it was stated that "this mode of appointment will work as a device available to the Chief Minister to appoint any Person who is not even the member of Legislative assembly and Legislative council of his choice as Political Secretary"..The present appointment of the third respondent as the Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of the State is tainted with arbitrariness, favourtism and non transparency since neither the State government or the Chief Minister can create such Post of "Political Secretary" to himself by giving Cabinet Status.Petition filed in Karnataka High Court.Additionally, the petitioner claims that the post of 'Political Secretary' to the CM was created to accommodate Santosh, who is Yediyurappa's relative, in the government..On these grounds, the plea prays to prohibit Santosh from exercising duties as the Political Secretary to the CM. .Santosh has been aiding Yediyurappa for many years, and had served as his personal secretary as well. He was spotted organising logistics for the rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs who joined the BJP last year, eventually leading to the fall of the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka..A few days ago, Santosh reportedly attempted to commit suicide at his Dollars Colony residence in Bengaluru. After he was found unconscious by his family members in his reading room, he was rushed to MS Ramaiah Hospital..The matter will be next heard on January 11, 2021.