Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 26: After some Congress legislators expressed resentment at the unilateral decisions taken in transferring police circle inspectors in the state, the entire list of 141 transfers was stayed till Tuesday evening. It is learnt that finally, 16 transfers were temporarily put on hold after discussions. This incident has given credence to the notion that all is not well within the coalition government.

Because of tussle between JD(S) and Congress legislators, the issue of transfer of police inspectors had been placed in the back burner since the last over two months. The file was finally signed on Monday evening as per which a total of 141 inspectors were transferred. But on Tuesday morning, Congress MLAs objected to the list, after which the chief minister orally asked the director general of police of the state to hold back the list temporarily. The stay was given as the dispute over police stations falling within the jurisdictions of two constituencies represented by MLAs from JD(S) and Congress could not be sorted out.

The transfer of IPS officers two weeks back had given rise to disgruntlement among the senior ministers in the government. Congress legislators alleged that JD(S) leadership has not followed the understanding arrived at previously as per which in case of transfers, consultations should be held with the ministers representing respective parties. This opinion also echoed in the Congress legislature party meeting held on Tuesday evening.

The MLAs had called former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, and deputy chief minister, Dr G Parameshwar, about the neglect shown to them in making this list. Discussions and suggestions were exchanged thereafter till Tuesday evening, after which, only transfer of 16 inspectors were temporarily withheld, sources stated.