Guv, CM vary in versions on their meeting

“You know the constitutional position. I cannot act on my own against a minister. Appointment or dismissal of a minister is on the advice of the chief minister. In this context I had sought information”,  Bhardwaj told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Bangalore.

Bhardwaj said it was the prerogative of the chief minister to take action against Yogeeshwara, who is facing charges of corporate fraud and cheating. Bhardwaj had summoned Gowda to Raj Bhavan on Saturday and held discussion with him for more than half an hour.

However, Sadanana Gowda, at another function, denied any such discussion. “The Governor did not raise the issue in the meeting at all. We discussed many other matters which I prefer not to disclose before the media. The Governor is the head of the State and it is my duty to keep him informed of the developments in the State,” Gowda said. He added that he would go in for a Cabinet expansion after the Koppal bypoll.

Serious Fraud Investigation Office of the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which investigated complaints against Megacity (Bangalore) Developers and Builders Limited, of which Yogeeshwara is the managing director, has accused the minister of corporate fraud, criminal conspiracy, forgery and cheating and has recommended his criminal prosecution.

Megacity Site Members Welfare Association had submitted a  memorandum to Bhardwaj, last week, seeking to advise the State Government to order a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the project.