M A I N   N E W S

Karnataka crisis deepens as Governor pushes for President’s Rule
BJP cries foul, says Yeddyurappa govt enjoys majority after 11 rebel MLAs’ support to CM

Bangalore, May 15 
The BJP government in Karnataka today plunged into a deeper crisis with Governor HR Bhardwaj recommending imposition of the President’s Rule in the wake of the Supreme Court quashing the disqualification of 11 rebel party MLAs.

Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa hit back at the Governor and said it is a “conspiracy of the Raj Bhawan that is not acceptable”. A meeting of NDA leaders may take place tomorrow and a delegation could call on the President to oppose the Governor's recommendation.

On a day of high drama, the Governor, who has been having a troubled relationship with the government, sent a “special” report to the Centre.

The report from Bhardwaj, who returned here from Delhi this morning, comes in the wake of the Supreme Court reversing the Karnataka High Court decision of disqualifying 11 BJP rebel MLAs and five Independents ahead of the October 10, 2010, floor test in the Assembly.

Yeddyurappa, whose party earlier in the day claimed that the crisis was over with the rebels extending support to his government, attacked the Governor and urged the President not to accept his recommendation. Addressing a late night press conference at his house, Yeddyurappa said the BJP had a majority in the House and the Governor was playing a political game at the behest of the Congress and the JD(S).

The CM said he had written a letter to President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking them not to accept the Governor's report.

Party leader Arun Jaitley told reporters in Delhi that the BJP government enjoyed the majority in the Karnataka Assembly and has the support of at least 121 MLAs in the 224-member House with the return of the 11 party rebels.

The Governor’s recommendation is “unconstitutional” and goes against the spirit of federalism, said Jaitley.

“Judicial verdict cannot be a reason for imposition of Article 356,” he said, adding that the Supreme Court censures the government everyday on the issue of 2G or blackmoney. He hoped the Centre would reject the Governor's recommendation.The recommendation by the Governor has stunned the BJP which was heaving a sigh of relief after roping in support of the 11 rebels who today pledged their "unconditional" support to the government.

Yeddyurappa asserted this morning that he commanded an absolute majority and there was no need for him to seek a fresh floor test to prove majority of his government. Ten of the 11 MLAs, besides faxing their letters of support to Raj Bhawan from Delhi, had also submitted it to the Governor through a delegation of ministers after Bhardwaj declined to meet them. — PTI