Even if there is a move to replace Governors in some States following the regime change at the Centre, it may not make much difference to Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj, who is left with just about a month to complete his term. Contrary to what is being stated, sources here said that the Governor had not sent any letter to the Union government, ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha results, expressing his desire to resign.
Raj Bhavan sources said that they were not aware of the matter. It can, however, be said that the new government can in no way direct a Governor to resign, although there have been instances in the past when Governors have been asked to quit.
Top leaders of the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, particularly the new MPs, have been camping in New Delhi over the past few days primarily for a berth in the Union Ministry. However, some of them are also there to impress upon the leadership that the Governor has to be removed.
Mr. Bhardwaj took charge as Governor on June 29, 2009 after resigning from the Rajya Sabha. The Chief Minister at that time was B.S. Yeddyurappa. Mr. Yeddyurappa has now been elected to the Lok Sabha, and some of his close associates are reportedly keen on having a new Governor right away, even as they maintain that there is no need to discuss the matter with the head of the State government (Siddaramaiah).
It is common knowledge that Mr. Yeddyurappa in particular and the BJP in general have had a running feud with the Governor (for nearly three years), with the latter even sanctioning the prosecution of the Chief Minister under the Prevention of Corruption Act in early 2011.
The prosecution was sanctioned following several allegations of the then Chief Minister’s involvement in land scams, apart from the seizure of trucks carrying illegally mined iron ore.
The Karnataka High Court had, however, quashed the First Information Report calling it “bad in law” and stating that “the petitioner was condemned unheard and there is flagrant violation of principles of natural justice, fairness in administrative action and statutory provision”.
Added to this, the Governor recommended President’s Rule in the State in mid-2011 on the ground that there was a breakdown in the constitutional machinery and expressing doubts over the manner in which the ruling party had established its majority on the floor of the legislature. The Centre had, however, rejected the recommendation.
