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Apparently awaiting the Centre`s move, Bhardwaj asked Yeddyurappa to wait for a day or two for his decision on the state cabinet recommendation for convening the Assembly from June 2.
A ministerial delegation, led by Yeddyurappa, met the Governor at Raj Bhavan and requested him to give approval for convening the Assembly session, which the Cabinet on May 16 said was necessary to pass the full budget for better implementation of the development programmes.
Earlier, vote on account for four months (till July 31, 2011) had been approved by the Karnataka legislature.
Yeddyurappa said Bhardwaj told the delegation that a clear response has not come from the Centre on his recommendation and he expects it today or tomorrow.
The Governor told the Chief Minister to "wait for one day (regarding consent for the session)."
Yeddyurappa said the Governor assured him that he would "let us know his decision (on convening of the session) in a day or two."
Yeddyurappa expressed optimism that Bhardwaj would be recalled.
Asked, "Who will go the Speaker, the Governor or You?" he said, "I think, the Governor will go. We have discussed this issue with the President and the Prime Minister."
Yeddyurappa said Bhardwaj told him, "I could not contact anyone. I was also not contacted by any one (on the issue of his recommendation for President`s rule)."
However, Yeddyurappa expected the Centre to take a decision on the Governor`s report by tomorrow.
Asked if Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah would be "replaced" in view of adverse remarks passed against him by the Supreme Court in the verdict on 16 MLAs, including 11 BJP rebels, Yeddyurappa said he would continue in office for the next two years (when the term of the present government ends)."
"For whatever reason, the question does not arise (of replacing the Speaker)," he asserted. "No, not all," Yeddyurappa said when asked if continuation of Bopaiah would go against the verdict of the Supreme Court.
Asked if Bopaiah had done the "right thing" (disqualifying 16 MLAs, a move upheld by the High Court but reversed by the Supreme Court), Law Minister S Suresh Kumar said: "In his quasi-judicial capacity, he (the Speaker) has done the right thing."
Kumar pointed out that the Speaker`s decision had been upheld by the High Court.
Asked if the agitation by the ruling BJP would continue against the Governor, the Chief Minister said instructions have been issued by the party to continue protests in a peaceful manner.
He said he has full faith in President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram that they would uphold democratic and federal principles of the Constitution (by rejecting the Governor`s recommendation).
Yeddyurappa said constitutional and legal experts have "condemned" the Governor`s recommendation, while the electronic and print media have also highlighted the "undemocratic act".
On being asked the issues he and the Governor discussed at a function where they shared the dais this morning, Yeddyurappa said, "secret matters cannot be revealed."
When asked if both can maintain secrets, why they wanted the Governor to go, Yeddyurappa remarked, "I will share it tomorrow."
Initially, on May 13, the State Cabinet had resolved to urgently convene both Houses of the Legislature from May 16 but there was no response from the Governor`s office (on approval by the Governor), Yeddyurappa said in a letter submitted to Bhardwaj during the meeting.
Subsequently, the Cabinet again met on May 16 and resolved to convene the session from June 2.
Noting that the Karnataka government had presented a separate Agriculture budget, he said several seasonal schemes had been announced in it including "Suvarna Bhoomi" and the programme for desiltation of tanks.
"Such schemes have to be substantially implemented before the onset of monsoon. This year, there have been some early rains in several parts of the State and hence it has become imperative to advance the schedule in respect of some of these schemes," Yeddyurappa said.
"Further, these programmes require large part of spending in the first three to four months itself. This will not be possible with the present vote on account which allow for expenditure of only 1/3rd of the budgeted outlays," he said.
Hence, the Chief Minister said, it is essential and appropriate that in the interest of the development of the State, the full budget should be passed by the Legislature at the earliest.
Yeddyurappa said he has convened a meeting of secretaries of all departments on May 26 to discuss implementation of development works.
Yeddyurappa later held a meeting with his ministerial colleagues at his official chamber in Vidhana Soudha (state secretariat) and discussed the ongoing political developments.
