BJP appeals to Patil against president's rule in Karnataka

A BJP delegation on Tuesday met President Pratibha Patil and appealed to her that Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj's recommendation for president's rule in the state should not be implemented.

The delegation led by party president Nitin Gadkari also included Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and 114 party MLAs. They reached Rashtrapati Bhavan at 5.30 p.m.

"We have told president that the governor's decision was undemocratic and unconstitutional and president's rule should not be imposed on the state," Gadkari told reporters after the meeting. He said the BJP-led government in the state has the support of 122 MLAs.

With the Supreme Court on May 13 striking down the disqualification of 11 BJP and five Independent legislators of Karnataka, Bhardwaj is reported to have recommended to the central government president's rule in the state.

However, the 11 BJP legislators have extended their unconditional support to the Yeddyurappa government, effectively taking the party's strength in the state assembly to 121.

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the centre and the Congress party are reportedly not very keen on imposing president's rule in Karnataka or dismissing the state government, as it may lead to a sympathy vote for the BJP when the next assembly polls are held.

The Prime Minister also gave an assurance that 'nothing unconstitutional' will be done.

The Centre, yesterday, gave out clear indications it may not be acting on the recommendation of the Governor in a 'special' report he sent yesterday for imposing President's rule in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict quashing the disqualification of 11 rebel BJP MLAs.

On a day of hectic activities in the capital and in Bengaluru, an NDA delegation headed by L.K. Advani met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and told him that the Governor's report yesterday was unconstitutional and should not be acted upon.

The delegation demanded that the government should initiate the processs of recall of the Governor whom, it said, had repeatedly 'violated' the Constitution in letter and spirit. After the meeting, Advani told reporters that, 'the Prime Minister assured us that nothing unconstitutional will be done in Karnataka'.