Notwithstanding his recommendation for President’s rule, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today met Governor H R Bhardwaj urged him to convene a session of the Assembly when he can possibly prove his majority.
A ministerial delegation, led by Yeddyurappa, met the Governor at Raj Bhavan and requested him to give approval for convening the session, which the Cabinet on May 16 said was necessary to urgently pass the full budget for better implementation of the development programmes.
Apparently awaiting a word from the Centre, Bhardwaj asked Yeddyurappa to wait for a day or two for his decision on the state cabinet recommendation for convening the assembly session from June two.
Earlier, vote on account for four months (till July 31, 2011) had been approved by the Karnataka Legislature.
Yeddyurappa said Bhardwaj told the delegation that a clear response has not come from the Centre on his recommendation and he expects it today or tomorrow.
The Governor told the Chief Minister to “wait for one day” (regarding consent for the session)”.
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Yeddyurappa said the Governor assured him that he would “let us know his decision (on convening of the session) in a day or two”. He expressed optimism that Bhardwaj would be recalled.
Asked “who will go the Speaker, the Governor or him, Yeddyurappa said after a pause said “I think, the Governor will go. We have discussed this issue with the President and the Prime Minister”.
Yeddyurappa said Bhardwaj told him “I could not contact anyone. I was also not contacted by any one” (on the issue of his recommendation for President’s rule).
However, Yeddyurappa expected the Centre to take a decision on the Governor’s report by tomorrow.
Asked if Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah would be “replaced” in view of the adverse remarks passed against him by the Supreme Court in the verdict on 16 MLAs, including 11 BJP rebels, he said he would continue in office for the next two years (when the term of the present government ends)”.
“For whatever reason, the question does not arise (replacing the Speaker)”, he asserted.
“No, not all”, Yeddyurappa said when asked if continuation of Bopaiah would go against the verdict of the Supreme Court.
Asked if Bopaiah had done the “right thing” disqualifying 16 MLAs, a move upheld by the High Court but reversed by the Supreme Court), Law Minister S Suresh Kumar said: “In his quasi-judicial capacity, he (the Speaker) has done the right thing”.
Kumar pointed out that Speaker’s decision was upheld by the High Court.
Asked if the agitation by the ruling BJP would continue against the Governor, the Chief Minister said instructions have been issued by the party to continue the protests in a peaceful manner.
He reiterated that he has full faith in President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram that they would uphold democratic and federal principles of the Constitution (by rejecting the Governor’s recommendation).
Yeddyurappa said constitutional and legal experts had “condemned” the Governor’s recommendation, while the electronic and print media have also highlighted the “undemocratic act”.
On being asked about the issues he and Governor discussed at a function where they shared the dais this morning, Yeddyurappa said “secret matters cannot be revealed”.
When asked if both can maintain secrets, why they wanted the Governor to go, Yeddyurappa remarked “I will share it tomorrow”.