New Delhi:
The BJP's senior-most leaders met President Pratibha Patil this morning, asking for the Governor of Karnataka to be sacked.
A 15-page document submitted by leaders like LK Advani alleges that HM Bhardwaj has repeatedly proved that he does not act impartially but as "a Congress agent." The BJP alleges that the Governor is trying to topple a government that was democratically-elected and has not lost its majority. Mr Advani said that the Governor's behaviour has "insulted the Constitution."
Mr Bhardwaj last week gave his permission for the prosecution of the BJP Chief Minister in Karnataka, YS Yeddurappa. Two lawyers said they wanted Mr Yeddyurappa to be tried for allegations of corruption. Mr Yeddyurappra's Cabinet sent a strongly-worded note to the Governor, asking him not to sanction the Chief Minister's prosecution. The Governor did not accept their request.
So far, 15 different cases have been filed against Mr Yeddyurappa, some of them include his sons and son-in-law. The Chief Minister is alleged to have denotified land to benefit companies owned by his family. The Opposition in the state has been circulating documents that suggest that on the Chief Minister's orders, land that was acquired from farmers for public projects was sold at below-market prices to his family.
Mr Yeddyurappa met senior leaders L K Advani and Arun Jaitley in Delhi on Sunday to discuss how the BJP plans to tackle the new crisis confronting its government in Karnataka. The party has repeatedly stressed that Mr Yedyurappa has so far not been found guilty of any wrong-doing by any inquiry. A retired judge was appointed by him to investigate denotification of land by him and his predecessors.
(Read: Yeddyurappa brings his battle to Delhi)Mr Yeddyurappa said on Monday that he has not decided if he will go to court to challenge the Governor's decision to sanction his prosecution.
(Read: Karnataka Governor's letter to Yeddyurappa)