Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and the man he has been trying to dislodge from office, Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa were all smiles when they met face to face on Wednesday, with the governor proclaiming friendship and even holding BSY’s hands at one point.
But once the cameras were turned off, both men had a go at each other.
The governor insisted that “the chief minister may have a brute majority. But now, that the Supreme Court has quashed the Speaker’s order disqualifying the 16 rebels, it had become a minority government which is why I sent the report. It’s up to the Union government to decide what it wants to do.”
Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa expressed optimism that Bhardwaj would be recalled.
Talking to the media, Yeddyurappa said, "I think, the Governor will go. We have discussed this issue with the President and the Prime Minister".
Bhardwaj rules out resignation
The bonhomie with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa apart, governor H.R. Bhardwaj made it clear on Wednesday that he had no intention of stepping down because of the frequent tussles with the BJP government in the state.
Replying to questions after the Karnataka Public Service Commission's diamond jubilee function here, Mr Bhardwaj said that he was appointed by the President and would quit only if the President asked him to do so.
CM to guv: Let me have my session
After failing to get his assent to hold a session of the state legislature from May 16, the BJP government has again approached Governor H.R. Bhardwaj seeking his permission to convene the session from June 2.
Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and four of his ministers met the governor at Raj Bhavan and requested him to accord permission to convene a 10-day session of both Houses of the Legislature so that the full fledged budget for 2011-12 can be approved.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting with Mr Bhardwaj, Mr Yeddyurappa quoted the governor as saying that he had not received any communication from the Union government on his special report recommending President’s rule in the state. The Governor also told the delegation that he would take a decision in a day or two after getting the Union government’s response on his report.
According to Mr Yeddyurappa, the governor, spent most of the 30 minutes the meeting lasted, explaining the rules and the time needed to convene a session. He suggested to the chief minister and his colleagues that more time should be provided to the legislators before calling a session.
The governor reportedly expressed his helplessness over the Union government’s silence over his report, which has allowed the political uncertainty in the state to drag on. With the Centre not communicating anything to him on his report, his hands were tied and he could not take any decision including according permission to convene a session, a minister, who was part of the delegation said, quoting Mr Bhardwaj.
“The Governor gave a patient hearing to our request to convene a session. He expects the response of the Union government to reach him in a day or two and said he will decide on our request to call a session after that”, Mr Yeddyurappa said.
He made it clear that the ongoing protest against the Governor by the BJP, will continue in a peaceful manner. The party launched the protest after Mr Bhardwaj recommended the imposition of President’s rule by invoking Article 356(1) of the Constitution.
The chief minister ruled out any possibility of replacing Speaker K.G. Bopaiah after the Supreme Court passed adverse remarks against him in its judgement on the disqualified legislators. “The Speaker will continue in office for the remaining two years of his term,” Mr Yeddyurappa said while replying to a question.