Bangalore, May 18: In the midst of a raging political war with the BJP government, Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj today said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has a massive majority and there is no doubt about it.
Sharing the stage with the Chief Minister at a government function, the first occasion for them to come together in the last one week after the Supreme Court verdict that sparked off a crisis for the government, he sought to play down differences between the two.
However, Bhardwaj scoffed at BJP's demand for his recall, saying he was subject to the doctrine of pleasure as Governor and he cannot be recalled by any person except the President who appointed him.
“I am conscious of this fact that I have to act fully in accordance with the Constitution,” he said participating in the golden jubilee function of the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
Yeddyurappa, who returned from Delhi this morning after participating in BJP's high voltage campaign against Bhardwaj for his recommendation for imposition of President's Rule in the state, was seen in a relaxed mood with both often seen exchanging notes at the stage.
“It must be understood that the Chief Minister is the elected representative of the state. Massive majority he has got, nobody ever disputes and we are friends. These political tensions are irrelevant. We have to dedicate ourselves to the Constitution and to the laws,” the Governor said in his speech.
He said as far as he was concerned he had no plans of doing anything wrong but “my hands are tied by Constitution”. Bhardwaj said he wants his government in Karnataka to be a government of reputation.
Quoting from the Upanishad, he said, “A guest is like god and as Governor, he is the guest of the state”. In the last two days in New Delhi, BJP delegations have met the Prime Minister and President Pratibha Patil demanding rejection of Bhardwaj's recommendation for President's rule in the state and demanded his recall.
The Chief Minister is to meet the Governor and press for an Assembly session to prove his majority. Bhardwaj also described Yeddyurppa as a hard working Chief Minister who has been toiling for the development of the state.
“Even now the Chief Minister is working hard to build the state. I know he is working for 18 to 20 hours a day”, he said.
Rejecting the charge that he was partisan, Bhardwaj said, “There is no partiality and impartiality so far as my life is concerned. I have nothing personal against Yeddyurappa. From my peon to Secretary I treat everybody with love and affection. I require that in return”.
“Work on principles and with mutual respect”, Bhardwaj said while showering encomiums on the bureaucrats of the state, including Chief Secretary and Secretaries, who he said had been performing better than their counterparts in other states.
Taking a trip down memory lane, Yeddyurappa recalled the days when he served as a second division clerk in the government service before his entry into politics.
“After becoming Chief Minister, I have learnt a lot of lessons. In the coming two years I will devote my attention to give a transparent administration. I want all seniors to cooperate in this direction”, he said. PTI
