Governor behaving like "petty politician": BJP

Bangalore, Jan 21 (PTI) Taking its campaign againstGovernor H R Bhardwaj to a new level, ruling BJP in Karnatakatoday decided to launch statewide protests tomorrow seekinghis immediate recall for "insulting people of the state".

Apprehending that Bhardwaj might sanction prosecution ofChief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on alleged land scams on thebasis of a complaint by a lawyers'' forum, a meeting of the BJPCore Committee decided to organise anti-Governor protests inall district and taluk headquarters.

BJP legislators and ministers would also march to RajBhavan on January 25 demanding that Bhardwaj "vacate" hisofficial residence, state BJP spokesman Ayanur Manjunath toldreporters.

He said senior BJP leaders along with state MPs would callon President Pratibha Patil on January 24 in Delhi to briefher on Bhardwaj''s conduct and to demand his recall.

The party also demanded an unconditional apology fromBhardwaj for his remarks yesterday that the state cabinetresolution of January 19 amounted to a thief admonishing thepolice.

The cabinet had asked the Governor to drop theproceedings to prosecute Yeddyurappa and Home Minister RAshoka, saying such a move was nothing short of a "farce andcolourable" exercise on his part.

"The Governor is behaving like a petty politician onthe complaints lodged by two JD-S advocates," Manjunath said.

"We are not fighting against the institution of Governor,but against the man, who has desecrated the office of theGovernor," Manjunath said.

The BJP also sought to drag the Governor on the Boforsissue, alleging that as Union Law Minister Bhardwaj he allowedItalian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi to go out of thecountry. "Bhardwaj should now say who is the thief.... and whois the police....," Manjunath said.

Bhardwaj should tender apology "for insulting the cabinetand people of the state," he said.

Besides Yeddyurappa, the meeting was attended by stateunit President K S Eshwrappa, and BJP General SecretaryDharmendra Pradhan, in-charge of party affairs in Karnataka,and other senior leaders.