In the midst of a raging political war with the BJP Government, the Karnataka Governor, Mr H.R. Bhardwaj, today said the Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, has a massive majority and there is no doubt about it.

Sharing the stage with the Chief Minister at a government function, the first occasion for them to come together in the last one week after the Supreme Court verdict that sparked off a crisis for the Government, he sought to play down differences between the two.

However, Mr Bhardwaj scoffed at BJP’s demand for his recall, saying he was subject to the doctrine of pleasure as Governor and he cannot be recalled by any person except the President who appointed him.

“I am conscious of this fact that I have to act fully in accordance with the Constitution,” he said participating in the golden jubilee function of the Karnataka Public Service Commission.

Mr Yeddyurappa, who returned from Delhi this morning after participating in BJP’s high voltage campaign against Mr Bhardwaj for his recommendation for imposition of President’s Rule in the state, was seen in a relaxed mood with both often seen exchanging notes at the stage.

“It must be understood that the Chief Minister is the elected representative of the state. Massive majority he has got, nobody ever disputes and we are friends. These political tensions are irrelevant. We have to dedicate ourselves to the Constitution and to the laws,” the Governor said in his speech.

He said as far as he was concerned he had no plans of doing anything wrong but “my hands are tied by Constitution’’.

Mr Bhardwaj said he wants his government in Karnataka to be a government of reputation.

Quoting from the Upanishad, he said: “A guest is like god and as Governor, he is the guest of the state.’’

In the last two days in New Delhi, BJP delegations have met the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the President, Ms Pratibha Patil, demanding the rejection of Mr Bhardwaj’s recommendation for President’s rule in the state and demanded his recall.

The Chief Minister is to meet the Governor and press for an Assembly session to prove his majority.

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