CM to be mum on Guv

Says he has conveyed everything to the Centre and BJP leadership

“Whatever I have to say, I have conveyed to the Centre and my party central leadership. It is for them to take things forward. I will not speak anything more against the Governor,” Yeddyurappa told reporters when his reaction was sought on the Centre ruling out recall of the Governor.

Yeddyurappa’s newly acquired composure is apparently based on the advice of some of his close aides who felt it would not set a healthy trend for the chief minister to take on the head of the State. The advice also comes in the light of the Union Home Ministry reportedly having taken note of the State government hitting the streets against the Governor last week.

Asked if it was possible to have a working relationship with the Governor after what happened in the past one week, Yeddyurappa said: “So long as he sits in the Governor’s chair, we have to respect him. I will conduct myself accordingly.”

Yeddyurappa also ruled out seeking a vote of confidence in the Legislative Assembly during the extended Budget session commencing from June 2. “We have total majority in the Assembly. There is no question of seeking a trust vote,” he said.

He said the State government has not received any communication or advisory from the Home Ministry.

Back to work

After hitting the streets and raising slogans to save his government for the whole of last week, Yeddyurappa will settle for the routine now. On Tuesday, he came to Vidhana Soudha and attended to some official work. He spoke about administration, performance and review meetings.

The chief minister has convened a meeting of all ministers, principal secretaries and top officers of all departments to review and discuss the implementation of Budget proposals for 2011-12 on May 26.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, he said each department would be given a time frame to implement the programmes announced in the Budget and targets would also have to be achieved within that period. A meeting to review agriculture and allied departments will be held on Wednesday.

The meetings come ahead of the extended Budget session of the Legislature scheduled to commence from June 2. The legislature has approved a vote on account for four months (till July 31, 2011).

Yeddyurappa said he along with the Chief Secretary would also hold monthly review meetings on Budget implementation. He said the week-long political crisis in the State had no impact on development and it was business as usual.

Yeddyurappa said 40,000 houses constructed under the Aasare Scheme would be handed over to beneficiaries this month in districts of North Karnataka affected by the devastating floods of 2009.

To start with Aasare houses would be provided to flood victims who had lost their houses in Raichur on May 25, followed by Koppal on May 27.