BJP declares war against Karnataka governor

Taking its campaign against Governor H R Bhardwaj to a new level, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka on Friday decided to launch state-wide protests seeking his immediate recall for 'insulting the people of the state'.

Apprehending that Bhardwaj might sanction the prosecution of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on alleged land scams on the basis of a complaint by a lawyers' forum, a meeting of the BJP core committee decided to organise anti-governor protests in all district and taluk headquarters.

BJP legislators and ministers would also march to Raj Bhavan on January 25, demanding that Bhardwaj 'vacate' his official residence, state BJP spokesman Ayanur Manjunath told reporters.

He said senior BJP leaders along with state MPs would call on President Pratibha Patil on January 24 in Delhi to brief her on Bhardwaj's conduct and to demand his recall. The party also demanded an unconditional apology from Bhardwaj for his remarks on Thursday, saying the state Cabinet resolution of January 19 amounted to a thief admonishing the police.

The Cabinet had asked the governor to drop the proceedings to prosecute Yeddyurappa and Home Minister R Ashoka, saying such a move was nothing short of a 'farce and colourable' exercise on his part.

"The governor is behaving like a petty politician on the complaints lodged by two Janata Dal - Secular advocates," Manjunath said.

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

The BJP also sought to slam the governor on the Bofors issue, alleging that as the Union law minister, Bhardwaj allowed Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi to leave India.

"Bhardwaj should now say who is the thief and who is the police," Manjunath said.

Bhardwaj should tender an apology "for insulting the Cabinet and people of the state," he said.

Besides Yeddyurappa, the meeting was attended by state unit president K S Eshwrappa and BJP general secretary Dharmendra Pradhan, in-charge of party affairs in Karnataka, and other senior leaders.