Karnataka crisis lingers on, Bhardwaj and BJP stick to stand (Roundup)
May 18th, 2011 - 11:12 pm ICT by IANS
Bangalore, May 18 (IANS) The Karnataka crisis over Governor H.R. Bhardwaj’s recommendation to dismiss the B.S. Yeddyurappa ministry continued for the third day Wednesday amid expectation that the central government may give its decision on Thursday.
Bhardwaj indicated to Yeddyurappa at a meeting here that he expects the central government’s decision on his report recommending president’s rule in the state ‘today (Wednesday) or tomorrow (Thursday)’ and till then he cannot act on the state cabinet decision to convene the assembly on June 2.
Yeddyurappa met Bhardwaj with a group of ministers to urge him to give early nod for the assembly session as the state budget has to be approved.
“I have not yet got reply from the centre (on dismissal recommendation). I will give consent for convening the assembly after I receive the response of the central government. Wait for a day,” Yeddyurappa quoted Bhardwaj as telling him during the meeting.
This was the first formal meeting between the two after the May 15 recommendation of Bhardwaj to dismiss the state government.
The impasse lingered on even after the two shared a dais early Wednesday and displayed bonhomie with Bhardwaj describing Yeddyurappa as ‘my friend’ and praising him for ‘hard work’.
The public display, however, meant no change in the stand of Bhardwaj who insisted that he had acted according to the constitution.
Yeddyurappa also said that he was not giving up his demand for Bhardwaj’s recall for his “unconstitutional act”.
The Congress, heading the central government, refrained from commenting on the demand for Bhardwaj’s recall but slammed Bharatiya Janata Party for running the Karnataka government on “illegally manufactured majority”.
“It was an illegally manufactured majority, and an illegal government was running there,” Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan told reporters in New Delhi.
The Karnataka unit of Congress, however, blasted Yeddyurappa and BJP for demanding Bhardwaj’s recall and announced it will hold a rally in Bangalore demanding immediate dismissal of the government in the state.
The state Congress legislators - there are 71 members in the 225-strong assembly, will also decide Thursday on suggestion of some members that all of them should quit the assembly if the BJP government is not dismissed.
“The legislature party will decide on this suggestion,” state Congress president G. Parameshwara told reporters in Bangalore.
- Yeddyurappa threatens stir, opposition firm on ouster (Lead) - May 19, 2011
- Yeddyurappa sets deadline for governor to convene assembly - May 19, 2011
- BJP sets May 25 deadline for Bhardwaj's recall - May 20, 2011
- Battle for Karnataka shifts to Delhi (Afternoon Lead) - May 16, 2011
- Bhardwaj keeps Yeddyurappa waiting for yes to assembly session - May 18, 2011
- As BJP battles governor, it's speculation time in Karnataka - May 20, 2011
- BJP hits road against Karnataka governor - May 21, 2011
- BJP threatens nation-wide stir to save Karnataka ministry - May 22, 2011
- BJP takes Karnataka battle to Delhi - May 16, 2011
- Congress to hit streets if BJP government not dismissed - May 16, 2011
- Congress silent on BJP demand for Bhardwaj's ouster - May 18, 2011
- Yeddyurappa gets rousing reception; Chidambaram says Bhardwaj stays (Lead) - May 23, 2011
- Bhardwaj agrees for assembly meet, BJP firm on recall - May 23, 2011
- Yeddyurappa safe, for now - May 15, 2011
- Karnataka battle: NDA leaders meet PM; Yeddyurappa, MLAs to meet president (Roundup) - May 16, 2011
Tags: assembly session, bhardwaj, cabinet decision, central government, dais, expectation, illegal government, impasse, jayanti, karnataka government, natarajan, New Delhi, nod, roundup, spokesperson, state budget, state cabinet, state government, third day, unconstitutional act