Yeddyurappa slams Governor, calls him an ’agent of the government’

www.mangaloretoday.com

Bangalore, January 22, 2011:  Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa today lashed out at Governor H R Bhardwaj, accusing him of "acting as an agent of the government".

Addressing a press conference, Yeddyurappa said, " He is clearly acting as an agent of the government...the Governor has made a politically-motivated decision."

Yeddyurappa’s outburst followed a meeting with his council of ministers at his residence to discuss their next move following Governor HR Bhardwaj’s sanction for his prosecution.

Justifying the statewide shutdown, he added, "We called a peaceful bandh against the Governor’s decision. It was a success. The people of Karnataka took part and expressed anger against the unconstitutional and mala fide decision taken by Governor."

On Friday, Governor Bhardwaj sanctioned the prosecution of Yeddyurappa following several allegations of his involvement in land scams. 

A Raj Bhavan communique said the sanction was accorded under Section 19 (1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.

Reacting to the prosecution sanction, Yeddyurappa said the Governor is behaving as an agent of Congress and the JDS. "This is nothing but a broad day light murder of democracy and justice," he said.

Earlier this week, the cabinet asked the Governor not to sanction the prosecution of the Chief Minister requested by a group of lawyers, who want to formally take up allegations of corruption against Mr Yeddyurappa. The Governor said the request by the cabinet was ’like a thief’ requesting the police to not take action against him.