Mysore: Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj on Wednesday
advised Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to focus on the
state's development rather than spending energy on BJP
infighting but said he liked him and described him as
"honest".
"The chief minister should focus more on development of
the state rather than contemplating on party infighting," he
told reporters on the sidelines of a function here amid the
ongoing leadership tussle in the state BJP.
Divisions in the BJP became more glaring in recent days
with former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and state BJP
president K S Eshwarappa engaged in a public spat over
leadership issue.
Yeddyurappa had a few days ago attacked Eshwarappa
alleging that he was instrumental in sending him to jail and
making attempts to throw him out of the party. Yeddyurappa,
who is fighting for a "suitable post", was irked by
Eswarappa's repeated statements that he had to come out clean
in the corruption cases against him.
Bhardwaj said Gowda should use his powers prudently and
govern the state keeping his cabinet colleagues in control.
On the appointment of Lokayukta, he said he would not
approve the name of S R Bannurmath, former Kerala High Court
Chief Justice, as recommended by the state government.
Bhardwaj had asked the government to suggest some other
names, citing reports about a controversial land allotment to
Bannurmath but the government has maintained that it can take
a call on the new name only after the governor rejects it.
The Lokayukta post is vacant since early September after
Shivraj Patil, who succeeded Santosh Hegde, resigned from the
anti-corruption watchdog following allegations of
irregularities in securing allotment of government land.
Bhardwaj asked Gowda to consult former Lokayuktas N
Venkatachala and Santosh Hegde and propose suitable names.
"I like this chief minister... He is honest and himself
is an advocate, but I will not approve S R Bannurmath's
appointment as the Lokayukta. Gowda must come up with new
names in consultation with justices Venkatachala and
Santosh Hegde," he said.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, January 04, 2012, 20:36