Karnataka Minister for Medical Education Ramachandra Gowda has submitted his resignation from the Council of Ministers to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa as per the latter's direction.
The resignation letter is, however, yet to be forwarded to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj for acceptance and consequently (until this process is completed) Mr. Gowda will continue in his post.
Sources said the Chief Minister, prior to his departure to China early on Sunday, to attend the World Economic Forum meeting had impressed on the Minister to put in his papers following the controversy over the alleged illegalities and irregularities in the recent recruitment for nearly 400 subordinate posts in the Hassan and Mysore medical colleges.
Sources in the Raj Bhavan told The Hindu that the resignation letter had not been forwarded to the Governor. It should be noted that the Minister sent in his resignation letter through his private secretary in the early hours and by then the Chief Minister had left for the airport.
Sources in the Chief Minister's secretariat said that a decision on the resignation would be taken only after the Chief Minister returns late on Thursday. In another development, the Medical Education Minister also called on the Governor on Sunday.
Ironically, Mr. Gowda had a long meeting with the Chief Minister early on Saturday and sought time to offer his explanation on the controversial appointments. The Chief Minister reportedly told him that he would speak to him on his return from China and even wanted he represent him in some public engagements during his absence. However, within a few hours, the Minister who was on his way to Tirupati was asked to return and submit his resignation. Mr. Gowda is a confidant of the Chief Minister.
In his letter, the Minister said: “as per your wish, I am resigning. Thank you for your cooperation all these days”. He later told this correspondent: “I have quit because the Chief Minister sought my resignation. However, I maintain that there are no irregularities in the appointments. I have submitted an affidavit before the Karnataka High Court and stand by it”. The matter is now before the court, as the new recruits have challenged the cancellation of their appointment orders.
Mr. Gowda said: “I have been loyal to my leader and obeyed his orders. It does not, however, mean that I am guilty of the charges levelled against me. I need not have quit as I am still to be proven guilty. I only wanted to ensure that I am not a source of embarrassment to my party and my leader.”
He is the third Minister to have quit the Yeddyurappa Government, which took office in May 2008. First it was S.N. Krishnaiah Setty following his alleged involvement in the sale of land to the Karnataka Housing Board reportedly at an exorbitant rate, and thereafter H. Halappa, who has been accused of raping a homemaker. With Mr. Gowda's decision, there are three vacancies in the Council of Ministers, given the rule that the optimum size of the Ministry should not be more than 34, including the Chief Minister.
