Fresh crisis in Karnataka, Governor for President’s Rule

PTI

Bangalore, 15 May 2011: A fresh crisis loomed large over the BJP government in Karnataka with Governor H R Bhardwaj recommending 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.

 

On a day of high drama, the Governor, who has been having a troubled relationship with the Government, has sent a "special" report to the Centre, the Raj Bhawan said. Sources said he has recommended a spell of President’s Rule and keeping the Assembly in suspended animation.

 

The report from Bhardwaj, who returned here from Delhi this morning, 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.

 

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, whose party earlier in the day claimed that the crisis was over with the rebels extending support to his government, hit out at the Governor and urged the President not to give in to his recommendation.

 

Addressing a late night press conference at his house, Yeddyurappa said the BJP had a majority in the House and the Governor was playing a political game at the behest of Congress and the JD(S).

 

The Chief Minister said he had written a letter to President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking them not to accept the Governor’s report.

 

A brief communique issued by Raj Bhavan said "in the context of recent judgement of the Supreme Court in the matter of disqualification of MLAs on May 13, 2011 and its implications to the developments in the state, a special report has been sent to the Centre".

 

Yeddyurappa said he has convened the Assembly tomorrow and he was ready to prove his majority on the floor of the House if the Governor so directed.

 

In Delhi, party leader Arun Jaitley attacked the Governor’s report as "unconstitutional" saying it was an "extraordinary recommendation". He claimed that the BJP had a majority of 121 MLAs in the 224-member House with the return of the rebels.

 

The majority is decided on the floor of the House, he said.This is the second time, Bhardwaj has recommended for President’s rule in the state.

 

In October last year, the Governor made such a recommendation after 16 MLAs-- eleven from BJP and five indendents submitted him a letter withdrawing support to the Yeddyurappa government.

 

However, the Centre then rejected the report and allowed the first ever BJP government’s continuance, which had won the floor test twice in a gap of two days under the direction of the Governor.

 

The recommendation by the Governor has stunned the BJP which was heaving a sigh of relief after roping in support of the 11 rebels who today pledged their "unconditional" support to government.

 

Yeddyurappa asserted this morning that he commanded an absolute majority and there was no need for him to seek a fresh floor test to prove majority of his government.

 

Ten of the 11 MLAs, besides faxing their letters of support to Raj Bhavan from Delhi, had also submitted it to the Governor through a delegation of ministers after Bhardwaj declined to meet them.