A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was convened on Friday to discuss Karnataka governor H.R. Bhardwaj’s report recommending President’s Rule in the state.
But it failed to arrive at a decision as leaders also looked at the possibility of recalling the governor. In the meeting it was decided to meet again on Sunday to take a final call.
Sources said the Centre is averse to imposition of President’s Rule in view of the BJP hardening its position and deciding to take the matter to the streets.
“A decision could easily be arrived at if the leaders had to take a call only on the governor’s report. But the issue of a possible recall of the governor also cropped up. It was decided to meet again to weigh various options,” they said, adding that the next meeting will take place on Sunday.
The meeting, however, took place amidst indications that the government was not in a hurry to accept the governor’s recommendation.
Earlier in the day, sources in the home ministry even suggested that it could be rejected.
“But a final decision on the governor’s report will be communicated by the home ministry to Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru after it gets a response from the Prime Minister’s Office,” they said.
The BJP on Friday staged a dharna in Bengaluru against Mr Bhardwaj demanding his approval for convening of the legislature session.
In the national capital, the BJP demanded that by Friday evening, the governor should accept the ruling party’s recommendation for convening a special session of the Assembly to help the government prove its majority else face protests.
Government sources said that the ministry of home affairs has sent a note to the Prime Minister’s Office after it had received the report and is awaiting a final response.