Won't dissolve House at any cost: Eshwarappa

BANGALORE: With falling numbers of BJP MLAs and his government hanging by a slender thread, chief minister Jagadish Shettar doesn't need to throw up his hands in despair yet.
For, governor H R Bhardwaj on Monday ruled out his intervention at this stage. Dismissing reports that Shettar may dissolve the House following resignations of some MLAs and few more lining up to quit, deputy chief minister and BJP state president Eshwarappa told TOI: "We will not dissolve the House at any cost, just because a couple of MLAs have resigned.People have given us mandate to rule for five years. ''
He added: "If more MLAs resign and governor asks us to take a floor test, we are ready to prove our majority. If we fail on the floor, we will resign, but will not dissolve the House.''
Ruling out his intervention at this stage, Bhardwaj, after participating in a programme in Raj Bhavan, said: "I am closely watching the political developments in the state. At present, there are no signs of constitutional crisis. I have no information about the government reducing to a minority.''
The governor said the government has the support of 106 MLAs now. "If more MLAs resign, creating a constitutional crisis, Raj Bhavan will act appropriately,'' he added.
KEEPING HOUSE INTACT
Neither the state unit nor the central leadership of the BJP appears to be interested in dissolving the House. "Any party would like to be in power while facing local or assembly polls as it can generate resources during crucial times," sources in the party said.
On their part, the opposition parties too aren't interested in toppling the government for fear of earning a bad name. Experts feel the governor cannot intervene unless the ruling party's numbers fall below the magic figure (halfway mark of the total strength in the House). They also feel the Speaker should decide on the pending resignations of MLAs as early as possible. Currently, the resignations of two BJP MLAs, Vittal Katakadhonda and D S Suresh, are pending.
EXPERT SPEAK
Constitutional expert Ravi Verma Kumar feels the governor should intervene and seek an explanation from the Speaker. Former advocate general B V Acharya opines that everybody is acting contrary to the Constitution. "However, the governor can't act unless the resignations are accepted and the numbers fall,'' he said. Former advocate general Uday Holla feels the governor could be constrained because of the technicalities. "If the government has the required numbers, he can't step in. However, I am sure governor has all necessary inputs and will take appropriate decision,'' Holla said. Former Speaker Ramesh Kumar wondered why the MLAs who have tendered their resignations have kept quiet.
In 25 days, 14 MLAs exit
Jan 30, 2013: 12, all of them BSY aides.
Feb 21: 1, C P Yogeshwar.
Feb 23: 1, H S Shankarlinge Gowda.
2 MLAs' resignations pending with Speaker.