Thursday, January 26 2006 12:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi has dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leadership's view terming his decision to give nine days to the 'minority' Dharam Singh Government to prove his majority as 'constitutional error'.

"I have sought to discharge my duty as per Constitutional provisions", Governor responded today when asked by a reporter to comment on BJP's criticism of his action, as he was leaving after his Republic Day Address, followed by cultural programme.

Chaturvedi said in a democracy, he has acted in a transparent manner.

Asked if he is under 'pressure' from the Centre vis-à-vis the political crisis in the State, he replied in negative. He said he is only under 'constitutional pressure'.

BJP had on January 19 expressed view that the Governor's action was 'incomprehensible' as the Raj Bhavan's duty was to determine the 'fanctum of majority' at the 'shortest possible time'.

Hours earlier on that day, the Governor asked the Chief Minister to prove his majority on or before January 27.

Chaturvedi had said January 27 is one clear week from the day he was informed that a question has come up on whether the the Government has a majority, and thus, in his view, constitute a reasonable period of time to permit the Chief Minister to prove his majority.

He had said that he felt January 27 was 'quite appropriate' taking into account the holidays and the planned programme of the House.

In his Republic Day Address today at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds at a function under unpredented security attended by Dharam Singh and Water Resources and Transport Minister M Mallikarjuna Kharge, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, the Governor also made an oblique reference to the current political crisis gripping the State.

Chaturvedi said, "I cannot but reiterate once more that administration or governance and people's aspirations are not two conflicting categories. We all are the people."

He added, "The penumbra of mistrust and distrust that seems to engulf us can be removed only by probity in all sections of society without dissonance in our preaching and practice. Particularly for administration, the present in Karnataka is a great challenge".

The Governor then went on to say that there is need for introspection so that "we can respond to it with sensitivity, sincerity, purposefulness, intellectual integrity and rectitude. "I am confident, we in the State of Karnataka are capable of it", Chaturvedi added.