By IANS,
Bangalore: Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Wednesday shared the dias, chatted and held hands in a show of amity, but the daggers were still drawn. While Bhardwaj said he stands by urging for the state government’s dismissal, the chief minister said he was for the governor’s recall.
Both attended an official function here. The governor, who has written to the central government asking for the Yeddyurappa government’s dismissal, Wednesday praised the chief minister for “hard work” and acknowledged he had a massive majority. But he defended calling for his dismissal.
Yeddyurappa and his Bharatiya Janata Party also stuck to their demand for Bhardwaj’s recall even though the two exhibited bonhomie at the function.
“I have already communicated in writing. My stand continues,” Bhardwaj, who recommended Yeddyurappa government’s dismissal May 15, told reporters on the margins of the function.
“Let the constitutional authority decide. I have discharged my constitutional function by sending the report,” the governor said.
For his part Yeddyurappa said there was “no change in the stand (for Bhardwaj’s recall)”.
“We have 121 MLAs and what was the need (to recommend disimissal of his government),” Yeddyurappa asked.
Bhardwaj rejected the BJP’s demand for his resignation, saying he would complete his five-year term. He took over in June 2009.
Earlier, Bhardwaj and Yeddyurappa shared the dais at the function, chatted animatedly for a few minutes holding hands.
This was the first meeting between the two after Bhardwaj’s recommendation for the government’s dismissal.
In his address at the function, Bhardwaj said the chief minister “is working for 18 to 20 hours a day” for development of the state.
“The chief minister is an elected representative. He has massive majority. Nobody disputes that,” Bhardwaj said.
He also the two “are friends and the political tensions are irrelevant. We have to dedicate ourselves to the constitution and to the laws”.
Bhardwaj asserted he was not partial in his actions. “There is no partiality. I have nothing personal against Yeddyurappa.”