V. Gopala Gowda, J.,

These three writ appeals are filed by (1) Mr. B. Srinivasa Reddy who is appointed as the Managing Director; (2) Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (hereinafter referred to as the 'Board'); and (3) the State Government represented by its Secretary to the Urban Development Department respectively questioning the correctness of the order dated 10-1-2006 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P. No.9852 of 2004 (S-RES) (Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board Employees' Association, Dharwad and Another v. State of Karnataka and Others1), holding that the appointment of B. Srinivasa Reddy, the appellant in W.A. No. 86 of 2006, as Managing Director on contract basis with effect from 1-2-2004 as per Annexure-A and his continuation in the said office for nearly two years is illegal and he is an usurper of the said public office and further issuing a writ of quo warranto ousting him from the office of the Managing Director of the Board, urging various legal contentions.

2. Necessary brief facts are stated in this common judgment to appreciate the rival legal contentions urged by the learned Counsel for the parties:

(a) Karnataka Urban Water S