HR Bhardwaj despatched a "special report" on the unfolding political situation in the state in the aftermath of the Supreme Court setting aside disqualification of 16 MLAs.
The BJP government in Karnataka today plunged into a crisis with governor HR Bhardwaj recommending dismissal of the Yeddyurappa ministry and imposition of president's rule in the wake of Supreme Court quashing the disqualification of 11 party rebel MLAs.
The party and chief minister BS Yeddyurappa hit back at the governor's move saying it is a "conspiracy of the Raj Bhawan that is not acceptable". A meeting of NDA leaders may take place tomorrow and a delegation could call on the president to oppose the governor's recommendation.
On a day of high drama, the governor, who has been having a troubled relationship with the government, has sent a "special" report to the Centre, the Raj Bhawan said. Sources said he has recommended a spell of president's rule and for keeping the assembly in suspended animation.
The report from Bhardwaj, who returned here from Delhi this morning, comes in the wake of Supreme Court reversing the Karnataka high court decision of disqualifying 11 BJP rebel MLAs and five independents ahead of the October 10, 2010 floor test in the assembly.
Yeddyurappa, whose party earlier in the day claimed that the crisis was over with the rebels extending support to his government, attacked the governor and urged the president not to give in to his recommendation.
Addressing a late night press conference at his house, Yeddyurappa said the BJP had a majority in the House and the governor was playing a political game at the behest of Congress and the JD(S).
The chief minister said he had written a letter to President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking them not to accept the governor's report.
Party leader Arun Jaitley told reporters in Delhi that the BJP government enjoyed the majority in the Karnataka assembly and has the support of at least 121 MLAs in the 224-member House with the return of the 11 party rebels.
Attacking the governor, he said that the state government has asked for the convening of the assembly session tomorrow, "which he (Bhardwaj) is not allowing".
In the morning the governor had said in Delhi that the floor test was not a good idea and his recommendation in the evening is a "conspiracy of the Raj Bhawan which is not acceptable", Jaitley said.
His recommendation is "unconstitutional" and goes against the spirit of federalism.
A brief communique issued by Raj Bhavan said "in the context of 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".
Yeddyurappa said he has convened the assembly tomorrow and he was ready to prove his majority on the floor of the House if the Governor so directed.
Jaitley said the governor has been speaking on the issue following the verdict of the Supreme Court which has taken a view different from the high court on the disqualification issue.
"Judicial verdict cannot be a reason for imposition of Article 356," he said adding the Supreme Court censures the government everyday on the issue of 2G or blackmoney.
He hoped the Centre would reject the governor's recommendation.
This is the second time, Bhardwaj has recommended for president's rule in the state.
In October last year, the governor made such a recommendation after 16 MLAs -- eleven from BJP and five indendents submitted him a letter withdrawing support to the Yeddyurappa government.
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 was heaving a sigh of relief after roping in support of the 11 rebels who today pledged their "unconditional" support to government.
Yeddyurappa asserted this morning that he commanded an absolute majority and there was no need for him to seek a fresh floor test to prove majority of his government.
Ten of the 11 MLAs, besides faxing their letters of support to Raj Bhavan from Delhi, had also submitted it to the governor through a delegation of ministers after Bhardwaj declined to meet them.
Asked whether he would ask the BJP government to go for a floor test, Bhardwaj yesterday said: "Floor tests have not helped Karnataka. It was destroyed by manipulation."
The letter extending support to Yeddyurappa was signed by Balachandra Jarkiholi, Sarvabhouma Bagali, Shivanagowda Naik, Anand Asnotikal, Y Sampangi, BA Kage, SK Bellubbi, B Gopalakrishna, Nanjundaswamy, MV Nagaraju and Shankaralingegowda.
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