Snubbed by centre, Governor waves white flag at Yeddyurappa

NEW DELHI: The Centre's refusal to accept the claim of Governor HR Bhardwaj that there was a constitutional breakdown in Karnataka saw him piping down his attack on Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa. He conceded that the BJP regime had the backing of majority legislators.

Bhardwaj, who has been questioning Yeddyurappa's personal integrity, was all praise for the political persona of the Chief Minister. He even described him as a friend. "Yeddyurappa is a hard worker. He works 10 to 15 hours a day. Yeddyurappa and I are friends. Politics goes on. I fought for principles, I am not partial, I treat everyone same and I require that in return," said Bhardwaj.

But Bhardwaj's re-appraisal of the Chief Minister has not softened BJP's stance on the Governor. The Chief Minister said that BJP remained steadfast in its demand for the recall of the Governor.

BJP had sought the President's intervention on Tuesday after it paraded 122 MLAs before her. It said the Governor's continuance at Raj Bhawan would be a hindrance to governance. The run-ins between the Governor and BJP has put the state government on a crisis-management mode.

The Congress leadership is unhappy with the Governor for letting out the impression that the Centre wanted action against the state government.

Bhardwaj recommended the dismissal of the state government after an unannounced visit to the Prime Minister in the Capital.

Bhardwaj, who is itching to get back into active politics, has been lobbying for a berth in the Union government. His hopes soared after Law Minister Veerappa Moily committed a series of blunders.

But there are not many in the Congress who are willing to accept his claim that he is better suited to head the Law Ministry.

In any case, the present dispensation in the higher judiciary does not allow any intervention from the executive. On his part, Bhardwaj indicated that he has no plans to vacate Raj Bhawan till he is rehabilitated elsewhere.

"I will never resign. I will complete my tenure. I have discharged my constitutional duties. BJP can say anything but I have maintained my stand," Bhardwaj said.