Stepping up its attack on H. R. Bhardwaj, the Bharatiya Janata Party will launch a “Governor hatao ” campaign in Karnataka demanding his recall.
BJP national executive member Vaman Acharya told journalists here on Thursday that a delegation of Central and State party leaders would soon meet President Pratibha Patil and appeal to her to recall Mr. Bhardwaj, and also request her not to post him as Governor in any other State.
Dr. Acharya accused the Governor of behaving like a politician with partisan interests and trying to politically control Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa by repeatedly writing letters to him in the run-up to the zilla and taluk panchayat polls.
Referring to Mr. Bhardwaj's remarks that he was not satisfied with the Chief Minister's reply, Dr. Acharya said: “Replying to the Governor is not the only work of the Chief Minister. He has to handle several other responsibilities.”
Charging the Governor with transgressing his limits, Dr. Acharya said Mr. Bhardwaj was lowering the dignity of the office. Instead of indulging in the image-tarnishing exercise, the Governor should focus on executing his responsibilities as Pro-Chancellor of Universities.
There were several issues that needed urgent attention in universities, including a case related to the questionable credentials of the Visveshwaraya Technological University Vice-Chancellor, he said.
Referring to Mr. Bhardwaj's statement that he had got a list of “corrupt people” in the government, Dr. Acharya said the Governor could initiate action if he really had evidence.
“The Governor has access to all government documents. What prevents him from getting the information on the list of corrupt people he has?”
