Bhardwaj says SC order a stricture on Speaker, CM

New Delhi (PTI) - Stepping up pressure on Chief
Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj
Saturday appeared to suggest a trial of strength for the BJP
government in the wake of the Indian Supreme Court quashing
the Speaker's decision to disqualify rebel party MLAs.
After a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, he said the Supreme Court judgement reversing the High
Court verdict in this regard as an endorsement of his stand
that the floor test should be taken on the respective strength
of the Assembly.
Refusing to answer a question whether he would be
advising a floor test afresh in the context of the Supreme
Court order, he said "it is too premature".
He said the apex court judgement was a stricture
against the Speaker and the Chief Minister.
"120 per cent. I had advised floor test (in October).
It should be taken on the respective strength of the party
without bringing them down. They (BJP government) resorted to
exactly the opposite," Bhardwaj told reporters here.
He described his meeting with the Prime Minister as a
courtesy call. He made it clear that there was no talk on the
issue with the Prime Minister.
Terming the Supreme Court judgement as "very
important", Bhardwaj said, "The Supreme Court restored the
status quo. I have to study the case law and the ramifications
of the order and put it to the (state) government."
The Governor said that he will be writing to the state
government after reaching Bengaluru.
"Supreme Court has now clearly said that the Speaker
and Chief Minister acted in violation of Constitution and
procedural norms in dealing with their MLAs," Bhardwaj said.
The Governor said his view was that the floor test was
very sacrosanct commitment and it should be carried out
earnestly according to the Constitution rather than doing a
head count.
In a jolt to ruling BJP in Karnataka, the Supreme
Court on Friday quashed the disqualification of 16 MLAs ahead
of the controversial October 2010 no trust motion, saying the
Speaker acted in "hot haste" to favour of Yeddyurappa.
Meanwhile, one of the BJP rebel MLAs and former
Fisheries Minister Anand Asnotikar said the 11 legislators had
never defected from the party and were only demanding a change
in leadership.
"We never defected nor said anything about the
party... We are against the leadership. We have gone to
justice," he said.
About the future course of action, Asnotikar said, "We
have to consult our supporters and for betterment of our
state. We will hold a meeting. We are united."