Contradicting earlier reports, Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who called on Governor H.R. Bhardwaj on Friday, said the Governor had not asked him to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly.
Mr. Shettar called on the Governor hours after the latter's remarks that he would ask for a floor test if need be and held consultations for about 20 minutes.
After the meeting, Mr. Shettar told reporters that the Governor had drawn his attention to the episode of 13 MLAs of the BJP submitting copies of their resignation letters to him as the Speaker was out of station. Mr. Shettar said he had told the Governor that his government had a clear majority and its stability would not be affected even if 13 MLAs quit.
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The Chief Minister said the Governor had agreed to address the joint session of the State legislature on February 4. “I communicated to him the state Cabinet’s decision to have his joint address and invited him for the same,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s core committee held a marathon discussion in Bangalore since Friday morning about the ongoing political developments. The meeting was attended by senior party leaders including Mr. Shettar, Party state president K. S. Eshwarappa, National General Secretary Ananth Kumar and state Organising General Secretary Santosh. Mr. Shettar called on the Governor after the core committee meeting. The meeting resumed after Mr. Shettar met the Governor.