Date:31/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/31/stories/2007103159500100.htm

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Thakur consults experts

Bangalore Bureau

BANGALORE: Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur on Tuesday held discussions with constitutional experts in the wake of the political imbroglio in the State. He is expected to send his report to President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday.

Raj Bhavan sources told The Hindu that President’s Rule had to be revoked before the Governor could invite the BJP-JD(S) to form a government. This exercise itself would take time as the Union Cabinet had to send its recommendation to the President.

In the afternoon, Mr. Thakur invited BJP leaders B.S. Yeddyurappa and D.V. Sadananda Gowda for an hour-long discussion. The BJP leaders said the Governor was satisfied with the authenticity of the documents, affidavits and signatures of the 129 BJP and JD(S) MLAs furnished to him.

Mr. Thakur assured the BJP leaders that he would send a “factual report” to the Centre within the framework of the Constitution and that he would not yield to pressure, Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Yeddyurappa met the former Prime Minister and JD(S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda.

The latter reportedly turned down his request to join a BJP dharna at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi to protest against the delay in government formation.

Meanwhile, the 49 legislators in the JD(S) camp, including five associate members and three of the JD (U), who were staying in a resort on Bellary Road here, have been shifted to another resort on Mysore Road. The former Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy, who is staying with them, told The Hindu that the “legislators are relaxing.”