BJP demands Karnataka Guv's recall, to parade MLAs before Prez

BANGALORE: Stepping up its offensive, the Karnataka BJP today demanded immediate recall of Governor H R Bhardwaj, slamming his recommendation for imposition of President's Rule as "undemocratic" and has decided to parade party MLAs before President Pratibha Patil against his action.

BJP Legislature Party adopted a resolution at a meeting describing Bhardwaj's recommendation as "politically ill-motivated" and "against the spirit of the Constitution".

Senior party leader M Venkaiah Naidu told legislators that they will be paraded before President Pratibha Patil in New Delhi tomorrow to expose the Governor's "anti-democratic act".

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said he enjoyed the support of 121 BJP MLAs in the 225-member Assembly. He termed the Governor's action as "undemocratic and politically ill-motivated."

Accusing Bhardwaj, a former Union law minister, of converting Raj Bhavan into "Congress Bhavan", he said his action violated the Supreme Court verdict in the S R Bommai case.

By his recommendation, the Governor has become a "laughing stock", Yeddyurappa said, adding, his recall has become "inevitable".

Charging Bhardwaj with "deliberately acting adversely" in the interest of the state, the resolution said his report to the President to keep the Assembly in suspended animation was "without any substantive reason and against the spirit of the Constitution".

"Hence, we strongly demand the Central Government and President of India to recall Governor H R Bhardwaj from Karnataka with immediate effect," said the resolution read out by BJP state unit President K S Eshwarappa.

Naidu, who made a blistering attack on the Governor, warned that if the Centre accepted Bhardwaj's recommendation, it would invite "universal condemnation". He sought to allay apprehension in the minds of the legislators, saying: "Nothing to worry. We are going to complete our term".

Yeddyurappa said chief ministers of NDA-ruled states "are in touch with us and giving all support".

Another resolution said the legislature party which included MLAs who have returned to the party fold and three new legislators elected in the recent bye-election, backed Yeddyurappa as their leader.

Ministers and BJP MLAs later held a dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi statue, dropping their earlier plan to hold such a protest in front of the Raj Bhavan.

They raised anti-Governor slogans and demanded his immediate recall.