Guv aims to torpedo BSY govt

The governor has also desired that the State Assembly be kept under ‘suspended animation’.

On a day of hectic political activity, Bhardwaj in his report, dispatched to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday evening through his special officer, reportedly cited that the BJP government indulged in “horse trading” and had “manipulated floor tests” to stay in power.

The governor’s move followed the Supreme Court order on Friday quashing the disqualification of 11 rebel BJP MLAs and five Independents by the Speaker ahead of the October 11, 2010 trust vote. The court had also passed caustic remarks against the chief minister and the Legislative Assembly Speaker while restoring the membership of these MLAs.

The governor is said to have cited that the verdict of the apex court was a stricture against Yeddyurappa and Speaker K G Bopaiah and it also vindicated the stand he had taken on October 11 that the trust vote won by Yeddyurappa was unethical and improper.

The governor’s action came even though 10 of the 11 BJP rebel MLAs had, earlier, faxed to him letters of support to the BJP government led by Yeddyurappa.

Now all eyes are on the UPA government at the Centre as to how it would view the Governor’s recommendation.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs is expected to meet at Delhi on Monday afternoon. In case the report is accepted, then the Legislative Assembly will be kept under suspension. The governor may give opportunity for the BJP to once again prove its majority. It is to be seen whether the Congress and the JD (S) will jointly claim stake to form the government. The BJP, with the return of the 10 MLAs to its fold, is numerically sound with 122 members.

The combined strength of the Congress and the JD (S) is 97. This is the second time that the governor has recommended President’s rule in the State.

Citing the disqualification of dissident MLAs as unethical, Bhardwaj had recommended that the State be put under President’s rule hours after the trust vote on October 11 last. However, the Centre had not accepted his recommendation and Yeddyurappa was given another opportunity to prove his majority on October 14.

This time around, Bhardwaj went through his task meticulously discussing the political development in Karnataka with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.

The State Government on its part upped its ante soon after learning about the governor’s move. Yeddyurappa immediately shot off letters to President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidamabaram urging them not to accept Bhardwaj’s recommendation.

He has convened an emergency cabinet meeting and a meeting of the BJP legislature party on Monday.

Sources said the State BJP was considering to take all its MLAs to Delhi to parade them before the President. The governor has not reacted to the State Cabinet’s request for him to summon the Assembly session from Monday.

Earlier in the day, the governor did not give audience to the 10 BJP MLAs on Sunday, who returned from Delhi heroically after winning their case in the Supreme Court.

They had sought to hand over to the governor individual letters pledging support to the government. Only six ministers and former MP Dhananjay Kumar met the governor briefly after waiting at Raj Bhavan for more than 30 minutes.

The joy of the ruling BJP and in particular Yeddyurappa of getting back the support of 10 BJP MLAs was short-lived with the governor’s reported decision.

Earlier,  in Delhi, the 10 MLAs repeatedly said that they have no problems with Yeddyurappa or the party government. They also faxed letters to the governor stating that they are supporting Yeddyurappa. Their letters were also handed over to the governor by Dhananjay Kumar.