With Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on a shaky wicket in the wake of corruption charges, Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj on Tuesday said he would give his assessment on the situation in the State to the President as and when necessary.
“There is a Government and a Chief Minister. There are Ministers. You talk to them… I will give my assessment as and when it is necessary to the President and not to anybody else,” he told reporters after arriving in New Delhi.
The Governor was reacting to a query on his assessment about the political crisis in the southern State.
“At an appropriate time, I will report to the President. I should not poke my nose into the crisis,” said Mr. Bhardwaj.
Asked to comment on the Congress representation to him on the present situation in Karnataka, he said, “Do you think I am the spokesperson of the Congress? I have got the Congress representation. I will study it after I go back.”
To questions on the corruption issues in the State, he said, “These are all matters of public policy and all political parties are considering this.”
He said a Governor has no status and is always supposed to keep his mouth shut on such issues.
“I am not speaking unnecessarily to anybody, because at this age, I don’t want to be part of all this crisis,” Mr. Bhardwaj said.
When asked if he was concerned about the stability in the State due to the controversies, he said, “All these matters are getting attended to under the constitutional framework by the respective concerned people. So far as I am concerned, I am there as a nominee of President of India.”
To a question on corruption cases being transferred to the judiciary from the Lok Ayukta’s office in Karnataka, Mr. Bhardwaj said, “...I can’t comment on it. My duty is single-handed to stay wherever I am posted. I have no independent powers to correct it.”
