Governor H.R. Bhardwaj on Sunday said that Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda had assured him of taking action against Minister for Forests C.P. Yogeshwar, who has being charged with corporate fraud and forgery by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office.
Speaking to presspersons here on the sidelines of Adarsha Utsava, a function organised to celebrate 40 years of Adarsha Educational Society, the Governor said: “I have asked the Chief Minister for information (on the issue). I held detailed discussions with him at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday.” He said the Chief Minister had informed him that whatever action was possible under the law would be taken. Information had been sought from the Chief Minister since he (Governor) cannot act on his own against any Minister, Mr. Bhardwaj said.
The Governor's disclosure about the topic of discussion between him and the Chief Minister came as an embarrassment to Mr. Gowda as just a hour ago he had told presspersons that he had not discussed Mr. Yogeshwar's issue with Mr. Bhardwaj during the Saturday's meeting.
Mr. Gowda had earlier said: “I met him yesterday and we discussed the present political situation in the State. Other matters were not discussed.”
Governor criticised
BJP State unit president K.S. Eshwarappa expressed displeasure against Mr. Bhardwaj's behaviour and said he will appeal to the President to restrict the powers enjoyed by Governors. He told presspersons in Shimoga on Sunday: “Mr. Bhardwaj has repeatedly tried to embarrass the State Government. It is time to rethink on the powers enjoyed by Governors. I will write a letter to the President in this regard.”
He termed the charges levelled against Mr. Yogeshwar as “baseless”.
