BJP to launch 'hatao Governor, Bacchao Karnataka' stir

Bangalore, May 20: Stepping up its offensive against Governor H R Bhardwaj, the ruling BJP in Karnataka today (May 20) set a five-day deadline for his recall and decided to launch a campaign for his ouster in 11 districts from Saturday, May 21.

An emergent meeting of the party state unit office-bearers, which was also attended by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, decided to constitute two teams to lead the stir against the Governor, who has triggered a political crisis recommending imposition of President's rule in the state.

A team led by Yeddyurappa will tour Raichur (May 21), Mangalore (May 22), Tumkur (May 23), Kolar (May 24) and Bagalkot (May 25) as part of its "hatao Governor, Bacchao Karnataka," State unit President K S Eswarappa told reporters here.

Eswarappa said a team headed by him will carry on the BJP agitation in Mysore (May 21), Chitradurga and Bellary (May 22), Koppal (May 23), Gulbarga (May 24) and Bidar (May 25).

The BJP set a five-day deadline for recall of the Governor, whom it accused to indulging in unconstitutional acts and troubling the elected government in Karnataka.

Eswarappa said, "If no decision is taken on the Governor's recall by then, we will intensify the stir".

The BJP held a dharna in front of Raj Bhavan in support of its demand for Bhardwaj''s recall. MLAs, Ministers and others participated in the dharna.

He charged that Bhardwaj was "dancing to the tunes" of Opposition Congress and JDS and trying to rule the state.

The opposition parties have been using the Governor to topple the BJP government, he charged and ruled out Speaker K G Bopaiah resigning in the wake of observations made by Supreme Court while setting aside disqualification of 16 MLAs - 11 BJP rebels and five independents.

PTI