Karnataka crisis: BJP knocks on PM’s door

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday assured the BJP that the Centre will go “by the spirit of the Constitution” in Karnataka but did not give any specific timeframe regarding the lifting of President’s rule in the state. The issue is likely to come up before the union Cabinet when it meets on Thursday.

A BJP delegation led by leader of opposition L K Advani and party president Rajnath Singh met the prime minister urging him “to ensure the compliance of the constitutional provisions and immediately take steps to ensure formation of a majority and popular government in Karnataka”.

The prime minister, however, suggested that “the governor should be given reasonable time”. But the BJP leaders pointed out to him that four days had passed since they handed over the letter staking formation of government headed by BS Yediyurappa.  They sought to convince the PM that as per the Constitution, the Governor had no other option but to recommend revocation of President’s rule to the Centre and invite BJP leader Yediyurrapa to form the government.

Advani said the October 9 proclamation imposing President’s rule was yet to be ratified by both Houses of Parliament. The object of placing an Assembly under suspended animation was to explore the possibility of formation of a popular government so that the Assembly may complete its five-year tenure. “We would have thought that the governor would recommend the revocation of the President’s rule to the Centre but this has not happened so far,” he said.