Published: Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010, 1:54 IST
By Harish Gupta | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_karnataka-governor-hr-bharadwaj-didn-t-consult-centre-on-president-s-rule_1451812
When the Union cabinet decided not to accept the recommendation of Karnataka governor HR Bhardwaj to impose president’s rule in the state, it became clear that Bhardwaj had not taken the central leadership into confidence before entertaining a plea from small group of BJP legislators.
In fact, Bhardwaj’s recommendation was virtually put in abeyance, if not rejected, and he was asked to offer a face-saver as his actions had put the Congress high command and the Manmohan Singh government in an embarrassing situation.
Bhardwaj’s attempt to dislodge the BJP government, impose president’s rule and run the state for six months and try to install a Congress government with help from the Gowda family was opposed by Union law minister Veerappa Moily and Union home minister P Chidambaram.
Bhardwaj should not haveentertained the plea from 11 BJP legislators in complete disregard of anti-defection law. He should have directed Yeddyurappa to seek a fresh vote based on a plea from the independent MLAs. However, Bhardwaj was guided by the state Congress leadership which is desperate to capture power and is willing to join hands with the Gowdas. But the Congress high command is opposed to this.
The Union law minister told DNA that Yeddyurappa was being given a second chance to prove majority because the UPA government does not want to violate any democratic norms like the BJP, which conducted the vote in 3 minutes without clearing the lobbies.
Senior advocate KTS Tulsi said, “The Centre is exploring all avenues before implementing president’s rule. The step of recommending second voting is valid.” Senior advocate Mukul Rohtagi had a different view, “The governor’s decision to order second voting is illegal step. It’s a wrong precedent.”
However, it is clear that the rebels and the independents won’t be allowed to vote on October 14, and the governor may cut a sorry figure then.
