Bangalore, Jul 13: Firing a first salvo against the one-day old Jagadish Shettar-led BJP Government, Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj today said some ministers with ‘tainted record' had been inducted into it ignoring his advice.
“There should have been an effort to clean up the administration which has not happened. There are still some people in the government who have tainted record, one who have court cases,” he told reporters responding to a query.
“I told them to keep out some names who were facing court cases. They (BJP leaders) said they will look into it, but they said their high command has decided the list,” said Bhardwaj who had spared the previous Sadananda Gowda Government of any criticism in open.
Bhardwaj, who had a running battle with the B S Yeddyurappa Government on various issues including corruption, however, said “Shettar is a lawyer and generally spoken of well in Karnataka.
There are no allegations against him too.” The Governor, against whom the Yeddyurappa Government had launched a campaign accusing him of trying to topple his government and seeking his recall, said he hoped the Shettar Government would be stable.
Heaping praises on Sadananda Gowda, who fell a victim to factional war triggered by Yeddyurappa, Bhardwaj said “I wasn't happy when he was asked to resign.”
Bhardwaj, a former union law minister, said there was no doubt that administration under Gowda was improving.
“He was slowly and steadily going towards clean administration. The BJP wanted a leadership change and it was a party matter and as a Governor I had to oblige,” he said.
He said the country cannot afford to have tainted people in the ministry, but he cannot really stop it from happening.
“I can always guide, advise and suggest, but ultimately the governance is their's. So whatever list they sent me in writing, I approved,” he said.
Reacting to a private complaint filed against Shettar in the Lokayukta court alleging irregularities in land denotification six years ago when he was the Revenue Minister, Bhardwaj said he was ignorant of the issue but generally Shettar's image “is relatively better”.
He said it was too early to say anything about Shettar, but sincerely desired that he continues the good work of his predecessor.
“Why should he not do? He has assured me yesterday during the oath-taking ceremony that he will carry out the good work done by Gowda. I was completely satisfied with Gowda's eleven-month rule because he was doing right things in right earnest,” he added.
On Loakyukta post remaining vacant for a prolonged period, he said he tried to improve things but the BJP did not respect his views.
The Governor had refused to accept the name of former Kerala High Court chief justice S R Bannurmath recommended by the government, insisting he wanted a ‘spotless candidate'.
Bannurmath opted out of the post after a three-month standoff. He said if Shettar does not appoint Lokayukta, people can ask him to appoint one. “Nobody wants to face Lokayukta now.
The whole problem started from Lokayukta,” in an apparent reference to Yeddyurappa who quit after the then Lokayukta Santosh Hegde's report on illegal mining indicted him.
“I have no expectation. If BJP don't want Lokayukta. Let them not have it. In democracy people take decisions,” he said.
Bhardwaj said if he had power he would have appointed Lokayukta immediately and to the satisfaction of the people.
“...I don't go for this caste and that caste. I will not approve on caste basis. This is where the previous Chief Minister floundered”, he lamented.
Asked if he was happy with Gowda's handling of drought situation, Bhardwaj said he was doing a good work.
When told he was differing with the view of the main Opposition party Congress on the issue, he retorted that they were politicians and were attached to the people and hence they feel there is lot to be done on drought front.
He said there was a serious drought situation in several districts and added “During oath-taking ceremony I have reminded Shettar that before going after other things, immediately call a drought relief meeting and he promised to do so.”
“There should have been an effort to clean up the administration which has not happened. There are still some people in the government who have tainted record, one who have court cases,” he told reporters responding to a query.
“I told them to keep out some names who were facing court cases. They (BJP leaders) said they will look into it, but they said their high command has decided the list,” said Bhardwaj who had spared the previous Sadananda Gowda Government of any criticism in open.
Bhardwaj, who had a running battle with the B S Yeddyurappa Government on various issues including corruption, however, said “Shettar is a lawyer and generally spoken of well in Karnataka.
There are no allegations against him too.” The Governor, against whom the Yeddyurappa Government had launched a campaign accusing him of trying to topple his government and seeking his recall, said he hoped the Shettar Government would be stable.
Heaping praises on Sadananda Gowda, who fell a victim to factional war triggered by Yeddyurappa, Bhardwaj said “I wasn't happy when he was asked to resign.”
Bhardwaj, a former union law minister, said there was no doubt that administration under Gowda was improving.
“He was slowly and steadily going towards clean administration. The BJP wanted a leadership change and it was a party matter and as a Governor I had to oblige,” he said.
He said the country cannot afford to have tainted people in the ministry, but he cannot really stop it from happening.
“I can always guide, advise and suggest, but ultimately the governance is their's. So whatever list they sent me in writing, I approved,” he said.
Reacting to a private complaint filed against Shettar in the Lokayukta court alleging irregularities in land denotification six years ago when he was the Revenue Minister, Bhardwaj said he was ignorant of the issue but generally Shettar's image “is relatively better”.
He said it was too early to say anything about Shettar, but sincerely desired that he continues the good work of his predecessor.
“Why should he not do? He has assured me yesterday during the oath-taking ceremony that he will carry out the good work done by Gowda. I was completely satisfied with Gowda's eleven-month rule because he was doing right things in right earnest,” he added.
On Loakyukta post remaining vacant for a prolonged period, he said he tried to improve things but the BJP did not respect his views.
The Governor had refused to accept the name of former Kerala High Court chief justice S R Bannurmath recommended by the government, insisting he wanted a ‘spotless candidate'.
Bannurmath opted out of the post after a three-month standoff. He said if Shettar does not appoint Lokayukta, people can ask him to appoint one. “Nobody wants to face Lokayukta now.
The whole problem started from Lokayukta,” in an apparent reference to Yeddyurappa who quit after the then Lokayukta Santosh Hegde's report on illegal mining indicted him.
“I have no expectation. If BJP don't want Lokayukta. Let them not have it. In democracy people take decisions,” he said.
Bhardwaj said if he had power he would have appointed Lokayukta immediately and to the satisfaction of the people.
“...I don't go for this caste and that caste. I will not approve on caste basis. This is where the previous Chief Minister floundered”, he lamented.
Asked if he was happy with Gowda's handling of drought situation, Bhardwaj said he was doing a good work.
When told he was differing with the view of the main Opposition party Congress on the issue, he retorted that they were politicians and were attached to the people and hence they feel there is lot to be done on drought front.
He said there was a serious drought situation in several districts and added “During oath-taking ceremony I have reminded Shettar that before going after other things, immediately call a drought relief meeting and he promised to do so.”
