Is Guv appearing conciliatory over BJP govt in K'taka?

New Delhi, May 19: Congress on Wednesday, May 18 steered clear of opposition demand for the recall of Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj, who had created a major controversy by recommending imposition of President's rule in the state.

"It was an illegally manufactured majority, and an illegal government was running there. We find it utterly shocking that the Chief Minister and Speaker of Karnataka took no notice of the Supreme Court's strictures...We have nothing further to add," Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarjaan told reporters here.

She was replying to a question about the party's view on the demand for Bhardwaj's recall made by the BJP, which is ruling Karnataka and which has maintained the stand despite Governor now turning soft on the Yeddyurappa government.

Asked why Bhardwaj has changed his hostile stand towards the BJP government and is now appearing conciliatory, Natarajan said, "I am not aware whether he was hostile in first place or whether he is now conciliatory."

Her remarks came on day when, in the midst of a raging political war with the BJP government. Bhardwaj said in Bangalore that Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has a massive majority and there is no doubt about it.

In the last two days in New Delhi, BJP delegations have met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil demanding rejection of Bhardwaj's recommendation for President's rule in the state and demanded his recall.

A senior AICC leader, on the condition of anonymity, said that the dismissal of Yeddyurappa government won't suit Congress, which is already having thin support base among the powerful Lingayat community of the state to which the BJP leader belongs.

The leader said the best strategy for the party is to continue attacking the state government on the issue of corruption and let the BJP government complete its full term.

"I do not know what was this hurry. Bhardwaj was in a hurry," he said adding that if the Centre took any extreme measure like President's Rule that could lead to dissolution of the House, BJP will try to consolidate on the Lingayat factor.

PTI