Bhardwaj defends self; Congress, BJP plan rallies

BANGALORE - Karantaka governor H.R. Bhardwaj, who is under attack from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for sanctioning Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s prosecution, Tuesday said his actions were governed by the constitution.

“Now there is a debate regarding my own office,” he said at public function, referring to the BJP’s demand for his recall on the ground that he was acting as a “Congress agent” and not as constitutional authority.

“Constitution is the key by which we all are governed. Whenever there is abrasion of law, constitution has come to the rescue,” Bhardwaj said at the function to mark the National Voters Day.

Bhardwaj’s self-defence came as the BJP and Congress announced rallies against and supporting him respectively.

The BJP announced that rallies will be held in Hubli Feb 5, Belgaum Feb 6, both in north Karnataka, and Bangalore Feb 7.

Congress said it would a “massive rally” in Bangalore Jan 30 in support of Bhardwaj and to demand Yeddyurappa’s resignation.

BJP legislators and parliament members from Karnataka were detained Tuesday while trying to march to Raj Bhavan demanding “Bhardwaj go back.” Among those detained was former BJP president and Rajya Sabha member M. Venkaiah Naidu.

BJP state president K.S. Eswharappa told the marchers that “the party will continue its struggle for Bhardwaj’s recall till the goal is achieved.”

He said a party workers meeting will be held in Bangalore Feb 20, which will be addressed party national president Nitin Gadkari.

As rallies for and against him were announced, Bhardwaj remained unfazed and asserted that Karnataka should be “saved from malpractices”.

Bhardwaj, who frequently criticises the state government, said without naming any body that “malpractices destroy every system… Weak leaders, weak managers are a passing phase”.