K’taka gov briefs Prez, tells CM to sack corrupt men
The recent crisis rocking the Karnataka Assembly for the past few days has now acquired national focus, with governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj briefing President Pratibha Patil on these developments here Tuesday. The governor, who met the President over breakfast Tuesday morning, told reporters later that “no one had the licence to indulge in corruption” and that he would not “shirk his responsibilities”.
The governor added, in a clear reference to the Reddy brothers, that he had directed chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to initiate action against corrupt ministers as the matter was one of probity and integrity in public life. “You can’t have corruption. Nobody can be given a licence to do corruption. I have addressed the issue to the chief minister. I have told him: you appointed the ministers, and you should take action. He said he needed time. He didn’t say it is not happening.” The governor emphasised: “The CM admitted that illegal mining has taken place.”
To a specific question about the Reddy brothers and their illegal mining, the governor said he had already referred the matter of their disqualification to the Election Commission for perusal and further action. He had also sought a CBI inquiry into the Reddy brothers’ mining business. The governor at the same time added that he could not on his own initiate action against state ministers.
Mr Bhardwaj regretted the powerlessness of the state’s Lokayukta, saying: “I respect Santosh Hegde (Karnataka Lokayukta). The Lokayukta is there, but (there is) no work. I have to see that the rule of law prevails.” Indicating that he was as anguished as the people of Karnataka on these issues, he added: “I am a governor. I know my responsibilities. I will not shirk from my responsibilities. Whatever the people feel, I also feel.”
But amid these controversies, the governor also gave the state government a pat on the back on the law and order front, and added he had kept the Centre fully posted on all developments in the state. “There is only a controversy on four-five ministers.”
The BJP took strong exception to the governor’s remarks, calling him an “agent of the Congress” and accusing him of campaigning against the BJP. “We would like to know if he is holding a constitutional office or working as a Congress agent,” asked BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad. “We would like to caution him to recognise and respect the limitations of the governor’s office... else we will be constrained to act,” the BJP warned.
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