Karnataka governor blinks, finds a 'friend' in Yeddyurappa

The political storm over Karnataka appears to have been considerably weakened by the Centre's cold shoulder to both governor HR Bhardwaj's recommendation to sack the state government and to the BJP's demand to recall him. HT reports.

The political storm over Karnataka appears to have been considerably weakened by the Centre's cold shoulder to both governor HR Bhardwaj's recommendation to sack the state government and to the BJP's demand to recall him.

HT Image

The governor and chief minister BS Yeddyurappa shared the stage at a function in Bangalore on Wednesday. And while both stuck to their stands, the acrimony was down several notches.

Bhardwaj went a step further by praising the CM: "He has massive majority. Nobody disputes that. We are friends. These political tensions are irrelevant."

When a delegation led by Yeddyurappa called on Bhardwaj at Raj Bhawan and requested approval for convening an assembly session from June 2, the governor told the CM he'd "let them know in a day or two".

In Delhi, sources said the matter was still being examined by the home ministry.

Yeddyurappa, however, said the BJP will continue to demand Bhardwaj's recall for "acting as a Congress agent".

To this, Bhardwaj said: "I can only be recalled by the President, who has appointed me. Till then, I will carry on with my job… I am not quitting. Why should I resign?"

These developments came a day after the chief minister paraded 114 MLAs before President Pratibha Patil, with letters of support from seven others, to prove his majority in the 225-member assembly.