Centre has Not Closed Eyes to Political Developments in K'taka: Moily

Bangalore, Oct 24 (PTI): The Centre had not 'closed its eyes' to the political developments in Karnataka, but could not act 'just like that' and had to act in accordance with the Constitution, Union Minister for Law and Justice M Veerappa Moily said on Sunday.

"The UPA Government at the Centre has not closed its eyes to the political developments in Karnataka. We cannot take action just like that, we have to act according to the Constitution", he said reacting to JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda's recent statement questioning the Centre's "inaction".

Gowda had alleged that the Centre was "deliberately" letting off the BJP government by not acting on Governor H R Bhardwaj's recommendation on imposition of President's Rule in the state after Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa won a trust vote by voice in the Assembly on October 11 after 16 MLAs withdrew support to his ministry.

On Yeddyurappa seeking an amendment to the Anti-defection Law, Moily shot back saying "I feel like laughing at this. People who are misusing the law are seeking an amendment".
While talking to reporters, Moily accused the ruling BJP of taking politics in the state to the lowest ebb by "shameful" political developments.

"It is the BJP government which is solely responsible for the shameful political developments in the state", Moily said on the sidelines of a felicitation function organised for Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah here.

Taking an indirect swipe at the alleged horse-trading in the state, Moily said "people want to join politics to become MLAs and then ministers and make crores of Rupees. They should take a leaf or two from Rosaiah for his cleanliness, expertise and patience".

"People who wish to join politics must be tested for greed, avarice and misadventures," he said.

Describing Rosaiah as a "rare and unique political leader sans ambition", Moily lauded him for bringing financial stability to Andhra Pradesh.

"He is a leader who is in control of his bureaucrats and cannot be made a scapegoat by anybody. As the Finance Minister and now Chief Minister of the state he has been able to maintain accountability, discipline and transform the confusion in Andhra Pradesh politics to perfect fusion and stability," Moily said.

Acknowledging the encomiums showered on him, Rosaiah, recounting his humble background, said he had never aspired for any post but always worked as a disciplined solider of the Congress. "I have never associated power with the post but always worked with a service mind".