New Delhi, May 16: Terming Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj’s action to be unconstitutional, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday reiterated the demand that he should be called back immediately for failing to act with neutrality.
Leaders of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), who met the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, here this evening to discuss the political crisis in Karnataka, alleged partisan attitude on part of Governor Bhardwaj, who has recommended the President’s rule in the state.
“Despite the fact that the Chief Minister said he wanted to convene the Assembly, the Governor did not. If the Chief Minister wants to convene the house, it cannot be denied. Karnataka Governor must be recalled immediately. We want Karnataka Governor”s recommendation rejected,” BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani told reporters after meeting the Prime Minister.
“The Prime Minister said he has not seen Karnataka Governor’s report. We were assured that no unconstitutional steps will be taken. Home Minister told us no decision has been taken yet on Governor’s report,” he added.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa is in the national capital with close to 121 MLAs to prove that he enjoys a firm majority in the Assembly, which is in contrast to Governor Bhardwaj”s suggestion in a report to the cabinet that there has been a constitutional breakdown in the state.
Yeddyurappa had on Sunday shot off a protest letter to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram against the Governor’s move to recommend central rule in Karnataka.
“The Governor is trying to destabilise the government by joining hands with opposition parties. I have written letters to the President, Prime Minister and Home Minister,” Yeddyurappa told reporters earlier.
He said in his letter that he had appealed them that no attempt should be made to create a constitutional crisis when his government had majority.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry is examining the report of Bhardwaj recommending the dismissal of the Yeddyurappa ministry and imposition of President”s Rule in the wake of Supreme Court quashing the disqualification of 11 party rebel MLAs.
The Ministry is looking into the details on what ground the Governor recommended imposition of President”s rule and keep the Assembly under suspended animation, official sources said.
The report from Bhardwaj comes in the wake of Supreme Court reversing the Karnataka High Court decision of disqualifying 11 BJP rebel MLAs and five independents ahead of the October 10, 2010 floor test in the Assembly.
The rebellion last year had reduced Yeddyurappa ministry to a minority in the 225-member Assembly and Bhardwaj had ordered the chief minister to seek trust vote.
Bhardwaj ordered another trust vote, which Yeddyurappa won on October 14 with 106 votes in favour and 100 against.
Of the 11 BJP rebels who won back their membership, 10 again expressed their support to Yeddyurappa yesterday, while the 11th refused to do so.
—-Agencies