Yeddyurappa ’compliments’ Bhardwaj for helping unite BJP

IANS

New Delhi, 17 May 2011: Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Tuesday mocked Governor H.R. Bhardwaj for reportedly recommending president’s rule in the state and said he had only helped strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its legislators.

 

"Bhardwaj is helping us to unite and strengthen our party. I compliment him for that. I also thank all my BJP friends. I have come to Delhi to save democracy and Karnataka," Yeddyurappa said ahead of his meeting with President Pratibha Patil to parade the 121 party legislators supporting his government.

 

With the Supreme Court May 13 striking down the disqualification of 11 BJP and five independent legislators of Karnataka, Bhardwaj is reported to have recommended president’s rule in the state to the central government.

 

However, the 11 BJP MLAs have extended their unconditional support to the Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka, effectively taking the party’s strength in the state assembly to 121.

 

The UPA government at the centre and the Congress party are reportedly not very keen on imposing president’s rule in Karnataka or dismissing the state government, as it may lead to a sympathy vote for the BJP when the next assembly polls are held.