Bengaluru, Oct. 11: Karnataka plunged into political uncertainty on Monday following the submission of a damning report by the Governor, Mr H.R. Bhardwaj, that recommended the imposition of President’s rule in the state, hours after the Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, won a confidence motion with a controversial voice vote — where the break up of numbers is not known — amid pandemonium in the Assembly.
Both the Congress’ leader of the Opposition, Mr Siddaramaiah, and the JD(S) leader, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, are said to have held separate meetings with their supporters to decide on whether it was feasible to cobble together an alternative government before President’s Rule is imposed. In public, both parties said there was no such move.
After a meeting with Congress, JD(S), rebel BJP and Independent MLAs, Mr Bhardwaj rejected the report submitted by the Speaker, K.G. Bopaiah, that claimed that the proceedings in the Assembly were conducted in a free and fair manner. Mr Bopaiah had disqualified 11 BJP MLAs and five Independents.
The Governor said the proceedings of the House had been a “farce” and took serious objection to Mr Bopaiah disqualifying Independent members from the legislature. Sources said: “He has recommended that President’s rule be imposed and the Legislative Assembly be kept under suspended animation.” While the Congress and the Janata Dal (S) welcomed the Governor’s decision, the ruling BJP strongly criticised it, terming it “arbitrary.”
Mr Yeddyurappa, who could be on his way out if the recommendation is accepted by the Centre, said: “Mr Bhardwaj misused Raj Bhavan to help Opposition parties to destabilise the BJP government.”
Action today
* Karnataka High Court to hear petition of 16 legislators, 11 of BJP and five Independents, who were disqualified by Speaker Bopaiah.
* Union Cabinet to meet on Tuesday to consider Governor’s report recommending President’s rule in Karnataka.
* BJP to parade its legislators — believed to number 105 — before President Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
* Yeddyurappa says all eight BJP Chief Ministers will meet in New Delhi to formalise an action plan to save his chair.
* Congress, JD(S) to discuss their strategies. Both parties have said in public that they are not for forming a coalition government.