Prosecution of CM: Yeddy cabinet asks guv not to give sanction

BANGALORE: The battlelines were clearly drawn between the BJP government in Karnataka and the governor with the state cabinet taking a decision requesting HR Bhardwaj not to give the sanction of prosecution against chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and his cabinet colleague R Ashoka for alleged corruption cases.

Bhardwaj had received request from two city-based lawyers seeking his permission to prosecute Yeddyurappa for various corruption charges especially with regard to land denotification.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the governor released to the media on Wednesday, the chief minister said, “.... Your Excellency’s action of consideration of the request for sanction will not inspire confidence that the decision would be judicious, fair and bonafide.” It further went to say, “In these circumstances , it would be nothing short of a farce and a colourable exercise on the part of Your Excellency to even consider any sanction for prosecution.

”Though the governor has publicly said that the prosecution issue was ‘ticklish’ but in the latest letter addressed to him by Yeddyurappa has stated, “When the Chief Minister had called on Your Excellency on 31.12.2010, Your Excellency had indicated that you would accord sanction to prosecute the Chief Minister immediately after the Republic Day.”