Is the ruling BJP making its case for recall of governor H.R. Bhardwaj stronger?
In the latest complaint to the Union government, the state government has highlighted the fact that Mr Bhardwaj was not only biased in his decisions but also flouted
rules in administrative matters such as the appointment of vice-chancellors. The case in question: appointment of Prof. H.B. Walikar as vice-chancellor of Karnatak University, Dharwad. He ignored the candidature of Prof S.B. Hinchigeri, which was recommended by the state government, but the official notification on Prof. Walikar’s appointment said the selection was made “in concurrence” with the government. A senior minister told this newspaper that the Centre was told of how rules of the Karnataka State Universities Act were breached by Mr Bhardwaj ostensibly to favour Prof. Walikar. “The chancellor has not considered the name suggested by the government but appointed a different candidate without the concurrence of the government,” he added.
Documents related to the process of appointment of the vice-chancellor reveal that the search committee recommended the names of Prof. Hinchigeri, Prof. B. Thimme Gowda and Prof. Walikar.