In a dramatic turn of events, Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj on Sunday recommended the imposition of President's rule in the state.
Bhardwaj, who returned to Bangalore on Sunday afternoon after a three-day visit to Delhi, despatched a 'special report' on the unfolding political situation in the state in the aftermath of the Supreme Court setting aside the disqualification. His report came after 11 of the 16 rebel Bharatiya Janata Party members of legislative assembly pledged their 'unconditional' support to the B S Yeddyurappa government.
A brief communique issued by Raj Bhavan said, "In the context of the recent judgement of the Supreme Court in the matter of disqualification of MLAs on May 13, 2011, and its implications to the developments in the state, a special report has been sent to the Centre".
A Raj Bhavan source told PTI that Bhardwaj in his report has recommended imposition of President's Rule in the state. The source declined to divulge details of the report.
This is the second time Bhardwaj has recommended imposition of President's rule in the state.
In October last year, the governor had made such a recommendation after 16 MLAs -- 11 from BJP and five independents -- submitted a letter withdrawing support to the government led by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.
However, the Centre then rejected the report and allowed the first ever BJP government's continuance, which had won the floor test twice in a gap of two days under the direction of the governor.
The recommendation by the governor has stunned the BJP, which had heaved a sigh of relief after roping in the support of 11 of its rebels who on Sunday pledged their 'unconditional' support to the government.
Yeddyurappa asserted on Sunday morning that he commanded an absolute majority of 121 members in the 224-member House and there was no need for him to seek a fresh floor test to prove the majority of his government.
Ten of the 11 MLAs, besides faxing their letters of support to Raj Bhavan from Delhi, had also submitted them to the governor through a delegation of ministers after Bhardwaj declined to meet them.
The BJP's top brass will meet on Monday to consider the latest developments in the state.
The party reacted strongly to the recommendations made by Bhardwaj.
"The government of India should throw the recommendations of the governor in a dustbin," Prakash Javadekar, spokesman of BJP, told rediff.com.
"In a democracy, the MLAs have the right to change their thinking. They have all expressed their support to the Karnataka government. If the government of India accepts his recommendations and imposes President's rule in Karnataka, it would amount to murder of democracy," he said.
With additional inputs from PTI
