Spectacle before Prez, BJP parades 121 MLAs

Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa today met President Pratibha Patil with 121 MLAs to prove his majority. He also demanded the removal of governor HR Bhardwaj who has recommended dismissal of his government.

A BJP delegation on Tuesday met President Pratibha Patil and appealed to her that Karnataka governor HR Bhardwaj's recommendation for President's rule in the state should not be implemented.

HT Image

The delegation led by party president Nitin Gadkari also included Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and 114 party MLAs. They reached Rashtrapati Bhavan at 5.30pm.

"We have told president that the governor's decision was undemocratic and unconstitutional and president's rule should not be imposed on the state," Gadkari told reporters after the meeting. He said the BJP-led government in the state has the support of 122 MLAs.

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 to the central government president's rule in the state.

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

The United Progressive Alliance (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.