Cong, BJP trade charges over Guv move

The Karnataka governor’s sanctioning the prosecution of Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa has made the BJP-Congress fight take a turn for the worse.

The Karnataka governor’s sanctioning the prosecution of Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa has made the BJP-Congress fight take a turn for the worse.

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While the BJP reacted angrily to the news, the Congress was quick to welcome the action.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley accused the governor of being politically motivated and of committing a constitutional impropriety He said the governor had granted the sanction without even having all documents connected with the case, that too at a time when a Lokayukta investigation and a judicial enquiry were pending.

He also said that some SC judgments have said that consultation with the council of ministers is required for such a step.

“Even during his tenure as governor, he (Bhardwaj) has been proudly proclaiming his political affiliation. He carries his political affiliation on his sleeve. The continuous course of his conduct, his utterances, his vocabulary, his phrases, his arguments all show a distinct political character to his conduct and an absolute lack of restraint,” Jaitley said.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi had a different take: “The Governor has acted after full application of mind. Only those who have something to hide should be worried. Otherwise, this is the discretion (of the Governor) and if anybody is aggrieved, they can take legal action.”

Apparently, Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka Ghulam Nabi Azad and Union minister Mallikarjuna Kharge are camping in the state.

There were other political reactions too. HD Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal (secular) welcomed the governor’s decision while talking to news channels.

Mohan Singh of the Samajwadi Party said that the move would start off a wrong precedent.

BJP ally and Janata Dal (U) president Sharad Yadav said, "Governor should remain within his limits. He does not run the government. Such acts spoil the political atmosphere."