Date:27/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/27/stories/2006012704490400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

No pressure from Centre: Chaturvedi

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Governor T.N. Chaturvedi has said that he is under "constitutional pressure and not any pressure from the Centre" with regard to the political stalemate in the State.

Speaking to presspersons after his Republic Day address, he defended his decision to give nine days to Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh to prove his majority in the Legislative Assembly, and dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party's criticism in this regard.

BJP's allegation

To a question on the BJP's allegation that he committed an error, he said he acted in a transparent manner in accordance with the Constitution, and he will discharge his duty as per the law.

He was not under any pressure from any quarter except that of imperatives dictated by the Constitution, he added.

BJP MLAs staged a dharna in front of the Raj Bhavan on January 19 demanding that the Governor insist on the resignation of the Chief Minister and invite H.D. Kumaraswamy to form a government as he commands the support of a majority of Janata Dal (S) MLAs.

They BJP leaders did not want the Governor to address the joint session of the legislature. They boycotted the Governor's address to the session.

`Date appropriate'

The Governor said he felt January 27 was "quite appropriate", taking into account the holidays and the agenda of the House.

He told BJP leaders on January 19 he would go by the rulebook and advice of the State Cabinet.