Karnataka cabinet unites to back CM against governor

The rift between the BJP-led Karnataka government and governor H R Bhardwaj widened today, as the state cabinet unanimously asked Bhardwaj to avoid sanctioning the prosecution of chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and home minister R Ashoka in connection with alleged land scams involving the duo.

An emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by Yeddyurappa – the second since Tuesday - passed a strongly worded resolution to this effect, a day after the governor, who is often at odds with the government, said he was considering the petition filed with him by a lawyers' forum.

"Your excellency's action of consideration of the request for sanction will not inspire confidence that the decision would be judicious, fair and bonafide," the resolution stated.

Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, the second since yesterday, Law Minister Suresh Kumar said the resolution noted that "neither any investigating agency nor any commission of inquiry has indicted the chief minister or the home minister."

Nonetheless, Bhardwaj had made up his mind to grant sanction to prosecute the chief minister and the home minister after 26 January, Kumar said.

"The Governor had told Yeddyurappa on 31 December that he has no option but to grant sanction for prosecution and he would do so after Republic Day (26 January)," he told reporters in Bangalore.