'I am competent to advise the State'

“When I am capable enough to handle the situation, why approach the Central Government,” he said on the sidelines of a Raj Bhavan function to present the President’s medals to fire force personnel.

Bhardwaj was responding to questions about whether he had sent any report to the Central Government on the administration in Karnataka. He dismissed his recent trip to Delhi as being just a personal visit and not an official one.

He laid to rest rumours of friction between the Governor’s office and the State Government by stating that there was no differences between him and the government. “If the representatives of the people do not function within the ambit of the law, I am here to suggest and advise them. This should not be perceived by them as a situation of conflict,” he said.

With regard to the complaint against the Reddy brothers and Sriramalu made by MLA K C Kondaiah, Bhardwaj said that the matter has been referred to the Election Commission of India (EIC) and appropriate action will be initiated by them. The inquiry will commence from June 3. The matter has been referred to the EIC after examining the complaints made by the representatives of the people and also the media.