Congress leaves Governor to fend for himself

With the BJP demanding recall of Karnataka governor H.R. Bhardwaj for “acting in a partisan manner”, the Congress on Wednesday steered clear of the controversy, leaving him to fend for himself.

With the BJP demanding recall of Karnataka governor H.R. Bhardwaj for “acting in a partisan manner”, the Congress on Wednesday steered clear of the controversy, leaving him to fend for himself.

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“The matter is between the governor and the Centre. As far as the governor’s role is concerned…what he is doing and what he is not doing…. the party has nothing to do with it,” Congress media department chief Janardan Dwivedi said.

Asked if Bhardwaj is an ideal governor, he said political parties do not make any comment on governors.

Bhardwaj’s offer of fresh floor test on Thursday to Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has not gone down well with the party’s state unit which has threatened to boycott the trust vote.

State Congress leader Siddaramaiah criticised the governor, terming his offer “unprecedented” and “unconstitutional”. But the central leadership downplayed the attack. “BJP is in opposition at the Centre and it is their right to make any demand. So is our party in Karnataka,” Dwivedi said.

He refused to comment on BJP’s allegation that the Congress is attempting to destabilise the BJP government in Karnataka. “It is not necessary to comment on BJP’s every remark because many of their comments tend to be illogical.”