Press statement issued by, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, MP and Former BJP President regarding the need to immediately recall the Governor of KARNATAKA

The Bharatiya Janata Party demands immediate recall of the Governor of Karnataka, Shri H.R. Bhardwaj. He has embroiled himself in several controversies with the State Government and converted Raj Bhawan into Congress office and became a willing partner in the destabilization moves by the Congress and JD(S).

After having allowed the use of Governor’s office for political purposes he embarked upon a political confrontation with other constitutional authorities of the State. He wrote to the Speaker not to invoke his powers under 10th schedule and disqualify any defector. When that has failed, he recommended imposition of President’s Rule which was perverse and motivated particularly in the backdrop of the fact that the Chief Minister enjoyed a clear majority. Within 24 hours of recommending President’s Rule he did a volte face and asked the Chief Minister to seek fresh vote of confidence.

From time to time, the Governor has been making a running commentary on BJP and also on the Ministers in the State Government. He himself levelled corruption charges on the Government forgetting that he is holding a constitutional office and that decorum and restraint are required in a constitutional authority. The history sheet of extra-constitutionalism indulged in by the Governor disentitles him to occupy a worthy constitutional office. Now, he wants to permit prosecution of the Chief Minister and other Ministers. When the State Cabinet met and passed a resolution requesting the Governor not to permit prosecution, he unabashedly says that the Cabinet requesting him not to permit prosecution is like a thief complaining to the police. By this he has lowered the dignity of the Chief Minister and the entire Cabinet and by that the people of Karnataka. Who is the thief? Who allowed Quattrochi to sneak out of the country? Who allowed withdrawal of the money from frozen accounts? All this is in everybody’s knowledge. This shows the prejudiced mind of the Governor.

The BJP not only protests against the conduct of the Governor but also demands his immediate recall. The Centre by not recalling him has become a willing partner in this destabilizing and defaming move. The dirty tricks by the Governor and the Congress party will backfire on them if they do not act now and recall the Governor. The Governor is supposed to be the custodian of the Constitution and guardian of the State but he is acting contrary to that. Extra-constitutionalism is always his firm belief and using all extra-constitutional measures to demonstrate loyalty is always his political strategy. Shri Bhardwaj has utterly failed to detach himself from his political past and proved himself unworthy of occupying a high Constitutional office.

The BJP MPs will meet Hon’ble President on 24th January, 2011 to apprise the President about the atrocities committed by the Governor. Thereafter, all the BJP MLAs, MLCs and MPs will organize a protest dharna on 25th January, 2011 in front of Raj Bhawan. The BJP will also take up this issue in a big way in the ensuing session Budget session of Parliament.

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