‘Does K’taka really need a Legislative Council?’– CM Bommai calls for introspection

Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai opined that there must be a serious introspection on the need for Legislative Council in the state.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony organized for the council members, the chief minister said “Is there a need for legislative council in the state? We must introspect about this question.”

“I too started my political career by becoming a member of the Legislative Council… It (Legislative Council) had a rich history and legacy that no one should forget,” he said and added that the changed circumstances questions are being raised as to the need for continuation of a legislative council in Karnataka.

The remarks by the CM in the farewell ceremony could reignite a fierce debate about the question Karnataka Legislative Council. Many-a-times the existence of a State Legislative Council has proven politically controversial in India. A number of states that have had their Legislative Council abolished have subsequently requested its re-establishment.

Article 169 of the Indian Constitution provides for the creation and abolition of  Legislative Councils in Indian states. According to it, the Parliament of India can create or abolish the State Legislative Council of a state, if the legislature of that state passes a resolution with a special majority requesting for a change.  As of now, 6 out of the 28 states in the country have State Legislative Council.