M A I N   N E W S

Yeddyurappa is my friend: Bhardwaj
Karnataka CM shares dais with Governor but guns for his head

On the stage, sitting next to each other, they were seen speaking in an animate manner. Bhardwaj was seen even placing his hand on the Chief Minister’s arm. In his speech later, the Governor said, “The Chief Minister is an elected representative. Massive majority he has. Nobody ever disputes that. We are friends. These political tensions are irrelevant. We have to dedicate ourselves to the Constitution and to the laws.” He described Yeddyurappa as a hard-working Chief Minister who has been toiling for the development of the state. “He is working for 18 to 20 hours a day,” he said.

Notwithstanding his warm words, the Chief Minister maintained that the Governor must go and “there is no change in our stand” on the demand for his recall.

Yeddyurappa said because of the past experience with Bhardwaj, who had made “attempts to destabilise the government from day one”, the national leadership of the BJP and he himself had urged the President and the Prime Minister to recall the Governor.

“There is no change in the stand. We have 121 MLAs and what was the necessity (for recommending President’s Rule,” asked the Chief Minister.

Asked about the demand for his recall, Bhardwaj ruled out quitting saying he has a job to do as the Governor of Karnataka.

“I am performing the job of Govenor. Till the President issues an order, I will carry on and complete my five year term as the Governor of Karnataka,” he said.

On his special report to the Centre recommending imposition of President’s Rule, he said: “I have already communicated in writing. My stand continues. Let the Constitutional authority decide. I have discharged my Constitutional function by sending the report.”

In the last two days, the BJP leadership and the Chief Minister have launched a high-voltage campaign against the Governor. They had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil demanding rejection of his report and his recall.

Bhardwaj took a dig at the BJP campaign for his recall quoting from the Upanishad to say that a ‘guest is God’ and as Governor “I am guest of Karnataka”.

Rejecting allegations of being partisan, Bhardwaj said: “There is no partiality and impartiality so far as my life is concerned. I have nothing personal against Yeddyurappa. From my peon to secretary, I treat everybody with love and affection. I require that in return.”

Asked whether Assembly Speaker KG Bopaiah should resign, he said: “Everybody is bound by the judiciary’s order.”

In Delhi, when asked to explain about the sudden bonhomie between the Governor and the Chief Minister, BJP spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said: “When time changes, the thinking of people changes accordingly... We hope good sense will prevail upon people who want to dismiss a constitutionally elected government.” — PTI