Guv notice to ministers sparks political storm

He is right, says Veerappa Moily; wrong, says Venkaiah Naidu

Law Minister M Veerappa Moily on Sunday justified Bhardwaj’s stand stating that Governor’s office had all powers to summon the ministers and seek clarification from them.

“What he (Governor) has done is the right thing. Governors are not rubber stamps, they have powers bestowed by the Constitution,” Moily told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Bangalore.

At the other end of the City, Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said the Governor should act as the State’s guardian and not get involved in political controversies.

At a press meet last week, Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy had contended that the
Governor had no power to issue notices to him and two other ministers.

Congress MLC K C Kondaiah, in his petition to the Governor, had sought disqualification of the trio alleging that they were indulging in illegal mining and their continuing in the Cabinet would influence decisions in favour of their business activities.

On the basis of the complaint the Governor on January 19 issued a notice seeking replies from Reddy brothers and Sriramulu. The ministers’ advocates presented their arguments before the Governor last week and hearing was adjourned to June 3.

“It is wrong to confront the Governor. The ministers could have clarified their stand to the Governor personally,” Moily felt.

However, Naidu had a different view. “The Governor cannot become a judge. If there is something wrong, the judiciary is there,” he said

The two national leaders had different takes on Sri Rama Sene leader Pramod Mutalik and his aides who were allegedly caught on camera accepting money to stage riots.
Naidu said BJP did not approve of Sene’s methods and believed law would take its own course.

Moily said the State government should intervene and take stern action against the organisation.