Recommendation for central rule in Karnataka to be rejected

With the BJP threatening to take to the streets in Karnataka, the Centre is likely to formally convey to governor HR Bhardwaj  rejection of his recommendation for imposition of president's rule in the state.

A decision on the report of the governor, who has also recommended  keeping the assembly under suspended animation, will be taken at the highest level of the Central government "very soon", sources said.

It is learnt that since the Centre is not in favour of dismissing the BS Yeddyurappa-led BJP government in the southern state, the report was not not taken up for discussion at yesterday's meeting of Union cabinet, they said.

A formal communication from the Centre to the governor is expected to pave the way for convening  a session of the Assembly that has been demanded by Yeddyurappa, sources said.

When a ministerial delegation, led by Yeddyurappa, had met the governor on Wednesday and requested him to convene the session to pass the full budget, Bhardwaj had told them that he was awaiting the Centre's decision on his recommendation to impose president's rule.

The governor had asked the chief minister to wait for a "day or two" on the issue of his approval for the session.

The BJP today staged a dharna in Bangalore against Bhardwaj demanding his approval for convening of legislature session.

The ruling party also set a five-day deadline for the recall of the governor and decided to intensify the campaign for his removal, accusing him of trying to rule the state.