Even as the political situation in Karnataka remained uncertain, the Congress on Tuesday said the Governor was not bound by either the Bommai or Bihar judgements of the Supreme Court in this instance, and reiterated the demand for immediate dissolution of the Assembly now under suspended animation.

AICC media department chairman Veerappa Moily, referring to the two judgements, said that they spoke only about the stage when the President’s Rule was imposed, and did not discuss  anything with regard to Karnataka’s situation, where the same combination was seeking to come together after breaking ties and calling each other names.

This interpretation of the  judgements, party sources indicated, could be pointers to a thinking process stirring in the Congress high command to finally refer the issue to the apex court for a final view.

The President, after receiving the Governor’s report, can refer the matter to the Supreme Court, the sources said, adding that it would be beneficial for Congress as it would prevent the JD(S)-BJP from forming the government and keep the state under President’s rule till elections were held.

Mr Moily, talking to reporters, said, “The Governor is not bound by the Bommai or Bihar judgements as it has gone beyond that stage in Karnataka. He has to be satisfied if the same combination can give a stable government before deciding on the JD(S)-BJP plea. He has to send the report to the President who will take the final view.

“It they are in doubt with regard to the Supreme Court judgements with reference to Karnataka, they can refer it to the apex court,” he said.

The Congress, he said, had only “one strategy” for the state – demanding dissolution of the Assembly and elections.