BJP Govt asks Governor not to accord sanction to prosecute CM

Bangalore, Jan 19 (PTI) Signalling escalation offriction between the BJP government and Governor H R Bhardwaj,the state cabinet today asked him not to permit prosecution ofChief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on alleged land scams, sayingthat such a move was nothing short of a "farce and colourable"exercise on his part.

"Your Excellency''s action of consideration of therequest for sanction will not inspire confidence that thedecision would be judicious, fair and bonafide", the cabinetsaid in a strongly-worded resolution passed at an emergentmeeting.

The cabinet meeting, second since yesterday, came aday after Bhardwaj said he was considering the petition filedby a lawyers forum seeking sanction for prosecution ofYeddyurappa as also Home Minister R Ashoka on alleged scams.

Asserting that neither any investigating agency norCommission of Inquiry had indicted the Chief Minister or theHome Minister, the resolution said the "intended exercise" ofthe power by the Governor to process the request for sanction"is wholly without jurisdiction".

Briefing reporters, Law Minister Suresh Kumar said theresolution will be sent to Bhardwaj, who has set the January20 deadline for the government to submit to him 93 filespertaining to alleged scams relating to denotification andallotment of prime lands in Karnataka.

The cabinet, however, did not discuss the issue ofseeking recall of Bhardwaj, who, since assuming thegubernatorial office, has lost no opportunity to put the BJPgovernment in the dock regularly on many issues, infuriatingthe saffron party, which has dubbed him a "Congress agent."

Bhardwaj said yesterday he was considering thepetition from "all angles" but had termed the issue as"ticklish".

Kumar said when Yeddyurappa called on the Governor onDecember 31, Bhardwaj had indicated that he will accordsanction to prosecute the Chief Minister immediately after theRepublic Day.

Also, delegations led by certain Congress and JD(S)leaders who met Bhardwaj were also told in no uncertain termsabout the said intentions, Kumar said. (More) PTI MSR RS RA BN