Arun Jaitley accuses Karnataka governor of using unconstitutional methods

NEW DELHI - Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley on Wednesday accused the Governor of Karnataka, H. R. Bhardwaj, of using unconstitutional methods.

Bhardwaj asked Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa to prove his majority once again, even as the High Court in Bangalore adjourned a hearing in the petition filed by the 16 dissenting legislators, who were disqualified by the Speaker of the State legislature.

Jaitley said that the official residence of the State governor had turned into a horse-trading point.

“The Raj Bhavan (Governor’s official residence) in Bengaluru (Bangalore), has been converted into an epicenter for horse-trading in order to destabilize the State government,” said Jaitley.

Jaitley reiterated the BJP’s demand for recalling Governor Bhardwaj.

“The party has demanded that he should immediately be recalled from his post. The party has demanded that he should be recalled immediately,” said Jaitley.

Jaitley further said that Bhardwaj was unable to detach himself from his political leanings.

“He has failed to politically detach himself from his past. He adopted unconstitutional methods,”said Jaitley.

Bhardwaj had recommended that President’s rule should be imposed in the state, after 16 legislators were disqualified and the BJP won the trust vote in the legislature. Within 24 hours, he also ordered Yeddyurappa to hold a second trust vote on October 14.

Jaitley said that the party had agreed to the second trust vote to prevent any confrontation with a constitutional authority.

He said that Bhardwaj who holds such a post should have acted with dignity and restraint. (ANI)