BJP sees no threat to Karnataka govt, calls Guv a ’Congress agent’

New Delhi, 25 Jan 2013 (PTI): Putting up a brave face despite a move by 13 rebel MLAs to quit, BJP today discounted any threat to its government in Karnataka and accused Governor H R Bhardwaj of acting as a "Congress agent" after he said the Chief Minister could be asked to prove majority when the assembly meets on Feb 4.

 

"I have talked to Chief Minister (Jagadish Shettar) today. The Government will not be in a minority in Karnataka," BJP President Rajnath Singh said. Asked about any threat to the government there, Singh said, "I am confident, there is no threat to our government in Karnataka. There is no crisis there."

 

In the 225-member Assembly, BJP has a strength of 117 excluding the Speaker and it requires 113 for a simple majority. Congress has 71 members and JDS 26. There are seven Independents and two vacancies. One member is nominated.

 

BJP Spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy attacked the Governor for convening the assembly on February 4 and hinting at asking Chief minister Shettar to prove his majority and said this right lies with the Speaker of the State Assembly and not the Governor.

 

"This right is with the Speaker. Karnataka Governor’s intervention proves that the Congress is trying interfere in the affairs of the BJP-led Karnataka government," Rudy said.

 

Attacking Bhardwaj, he said, "In the present circumstances, it seems like unconstitutional. I feel Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj is acting not as a Governor but as a Congress agent."

 

On whether he has been in touch with former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who recently formed his separate party, the BJP President replied in the negative.