In a strongly worded letter to Yeddyurappa, an unrelenting Bhardwaj on Wednesday said: “In order to divert public attention, I feel that you have chosen to use intemperate language against the governor while ignoring the rampant corruption indulged (in) by some of your ministers.
“Therefore, for dragging the governor into this in such an objectionable manner, you owe me an unconditional public apology.”
CM regrets
Immediately after receiving Bhardwaj’s letter, Yeddyurappa replied to the Governor, saying that he has the highest regard for the governor and held him in high esteem.
In his missive, the governor said the Lokayukta’s report against Singh, a former Congress chief minister, was disposed of by a speaking order by his predecessor Rameshawar Thakur on June 23, 2009, although he (Bhardwaj) assumed office on June 29, 2009.
Therefore, attributing anything in relation to the action to be taken on the Lokayukta report against Singh to incumbent was without any basis.
Bhardwaj has also mentioned that the Chief Minister has not furnished a specific reply to Governor’s letter dated February 2, 2010, seeking factual information on Congress MLC K C Kondaiah’s petition to disqualify Ministerial trio from Bellary on charges of office of profit. The Governor has also said that he is yet receive a reply from the Chief Minister on JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda’s petition on lawlessness in Bellary district.
In December 2008, the Lokayukta had submitted a report recommending action against certain individuals, including Singh and pointed out that the former CM should remit Rs 28 crore to the government for his lapses in issuing mining licences.
While speaking to the media on September 7 and 8, Yeddyurappa said the governor had omitted Singh’s name though the latter had issued mining licences on agricultural land. But in his reply to Bhardwaj, Yeddyurappa has said that media reports were far from the truth and that he had never mentioned anything about the governor not taking action against Singh.