Cabinet sits on K’taka report ‎

Mangalore Today News Network

May 20: A meeting of the Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, did not discuss the ’special report’ send by Karnataka governor HR Bhardwaj for dismissal of the BJP government and keeping the assembly in suspended animation. Asked by reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting whether the governor’s report came up for discussion, information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni’s response was ’no.’

The Centre’s silence on the issue was significant seen against the backdrop of a ministerial delegation, led by BSY, which had met Bhardwaj to request him to convene the session to pass the full budget, and the governor told them that he was awaiting the Centre’s decision on his recommendation to impose President’s Rule in a day or two.

An angry BSY said on Thursday that "by this evening, news should reach me (from Raj Bhavan) that approval has been given for the (legislature) session."

Otherwise, he said, he would embark on a state-wide tour in an open-jeep addressing road-side rallies to build public opinion from Friday.

BSY’s ultimatum came a day after both he and Bhardwaj displayed brief bonhomie, where both praised one another.

Meanwhile, BSY prayed at the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi near Jammu.

He last visited the shrine in 2009 and 2010, when BJP rebels upped their ante demanding change in leadership.

Led by Narendra Modi, BJP’s chief ministers joined the party’s chorus for removal of Bhardwaj, by writing to PM.

Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said in his letter to the PM that "the political situation that arose from the governor’s behaviour in Karnataka has put the federal structure of the country at stake.

At a meeting held at former PM Deve Gowda’s residence, the Left parties and the Janata Dal(S) demanded BSY and assembly Speaker KG Bopaiah’s resignations contending the SC decision quashing the disqualification of 16 MLAs was a ’clear and severe’ indictment of both.