JOIN USThe Gubernatorial residence has yet again turned into a hotspot or a lightning rod for the three political parties and protestors, and the stakeout spot for the media brigade.
Veteran Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj was among the early birds seen at the entrance of Raj Bhavan –– although he wasn’t part of any of the political developments. He, however, ended up being arrested for threatening to urinate in front of Raj Bhavan, to mark his protest against the lack of toilets in the State.
Later, it was JD (S) spokesperson Y S V Datta entered, who Raj Bhavan, only to be seen coming out shortly. The MLC, who was denied an appointment with the Governor, had to make do by leaving at Bhardwaj’s office his party’s memorandum against the BJP government.
The Governor returned to Bangalore at around 1.30 pm, but would not meet representatives of either the Congress or the BJP till late in the evening.
Congress leaders who had sought to meet the Governor at 5 pm, could gain entry into the Raj Bhavan only by 6 pm. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramiah and KPCC president G Parameshwara submitted a memorandum to him, seeking immediate dismissal of the BJP government. They were closeted with the Governor for over half an hour.
Deep embarrassment was in store for the 10 rebel-turned-loyalist BJP MLAs who had assembled there to submit to Bhardwaj a letter expressing their full support to the Yeddyurappa government. The MLAs who arrived at Bangalore in a special flight in the evening, drove straight to the Raj Bhavan, where they were seen greeting BJP leaders and showing the victory sign.
They were made to wait at the gates for more than an hour, even as BJP ministers tried desperately to meet the Governor.
Only around 7 pm, did ministers including C C Patil, Umesh Katti, Govind Karjol, M P Renukacharya, Bache Gowda, Vijay Shankar, Murugesh Nirani, and BJP spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar get to meet the Governor and submit the letter signed by the MLAs.
Ruefully, the former rebels made their way to the chief minister’s residence on Race Course Road where dinner was organised for them.
Later, speaking to the media, Dhananjay Kumar said the Governor had not been able to meet the MLAs because it was a holiday, and that they had a detailed discussion with him, where they got to explain the recent developments.