NEWDELHI: The BJP has slammed Karnataka Governor H R Bharadwaj for his action of sanctioning prosecution of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, saying it was "Constitutionally improper and politically motivated". When the Karnataka Lokayukta and the Commission of Inquiry set up by the state government were seized of the matter, without waiting for the outcome, the Governor had gone ahead to sanction the prosecution of the chief minister.
Party sources claimed that the Governor did not have all the documents before him, as the files were with the Lokayukta and the Commission of Inquiry. The party wondered how the Governor could decide to sanction the prosecution, without going through all the relevant files.
The BJP has insisted that the Governor's action to sanction the CM's prosecution was malafide. It was based not on sound legal
requirement but prompted by the poor plight of the Congress in Karnataka. As the Congress was virtually decimated in the Karnataka local bodies polls, Bharadwaj has shown that he has political interests of the Congress on mind, while sanctioning the prosecution, the party claims.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said Bharadwaj is not only a political appointee but wears his political affiliation on his sleeves. The recent conduct of Governor Bharadwaj betrayed a distinct political character and an absolute lack of restraint.
The Congress and the JD (S) had filed a pliant before the Lokayukta, which was being looked into.
The chief minister had himself constituted a Commission of Inquiry, which was looking into the larger issue of cases since 1994. The issue of jurisdiction was also pending before the High Court.
The investigations are pending and without awaiting the outcome and even a preliminary consultation with the Chief Minister and the Cabinet, the Governor has become proactive and sanctioned prosecution of the chief minister, Jaitley said.