BJP stages anti-Governor protest in Karnataka

Bangalore, May 20: Ruling BJP in Karnataka today (May 20) staged a dharna here against Governor H R Bhardwaj demanding his approval for convening of Legislature session, however, in a change of plans, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Home Minister R Ashoka stayed away from the protest.

BJP ion Thursday, May 19 had said the dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi statue would be led by Yeddyurappa.

Several ministers, including G Janardhana Reddy, Shobha Karandlaje, V Somanna, M P Renukacharya, besides state BJP president K S Eshwarappa were among those who took part in the sit-in protest.

The BJP is demanding that the Governor immediately give his approval for convening of the Legislature session even as it sought his recall by the Centre for recommending President's Rule in the State.

"The Congress is trying to use the Governor and rule from the backdoor," Reddy alleged.

The Dharna comes after the Governor ignored the "virtual ultimatum" given by Yeddyurappa yesterday (May 19) to give his approval by last evening for convening the session from June 2.

The BJP government has insisted that holding of the session is necessary to pass the full budget for better implementation of development programmes.

The government had also said the Governor gave no response to the May 13 Cabinet decision to convene the session from May 16. The Cabinet then held another meeting on June 16 and decided to convene the session from June 2.

The Congress has severely criticised the BJP for holding the rally, wondering how a Government can stage protest against its own head, and termed the agitation as one against the Constitution.

PTI