"It’s up to you to guess what made 17 MLAs switch sides overnight"

Uttar Pradesh Governor Romesh Bhandari says he is maintaining a ``low-profile'' on the ``advice of friends'' and family members. He does not...

Uttar Pradesh Governor Romesh Bhandari says he is maintaining a “low-profile” on the “advice of friends” and family members. He does not regret his decision to dismiss the Kalyan Singh Government nor does he have any “ill-feeling” towards any individual or political party. He was among the first to congratulate Kalyan Singh after he won the composite floor test on February 26. Getting the “low-profile” Bhandari to talk was tough. Finally, he agreed on one condition: no comments on “controversial issues”. Excerpts from an interview with Amit Sharma.

Why did you decide to swear in Jagdambika Pal without giving Kalyan Singh time to prove his majority on the floor of the House?

I was convinced that Pal enjoyed the support of a majority of the MLAs. See, he had an 18-member Cabinet of which 17 went back to the BJP. These include 15 Loktantrik Congress members and two Janata Dal (R) MLAs. Pal got 196 votes in Thursday’s composite vote of confidence. If you add 17 to Pal’stally, it becomes 213 — clear majority in the 424-member Assembly. My decision was not wrong. It’s up to you to guess what made the 17 members switch sides overnight. Pal had given me the figure of supporting MLAs while Kalyan was seeking time without giving any figures. I refused him a chance because that would have given a chance to horse-trading.

Story continues below this ad

But, why did you not take congnisance of the differences within the Loktantrik Congress (LC), especially when Kalyan Singh came to you armed with the letters of two LC members, Diwakar Vikram Singh and Vivek Singh?

Pal never claimed support of Diwakar Vikram, and what to talk of Vivek Singh? He came to me with Kalyan but immediately went to the other room and extended support to Pal. Whom should I believe?

What do you have to say about Naresh Agrawal’s allegation that the conspiracy to dislodge Kalyan was hatched at Orchha in Madhya Pradesh and that you were part of it?

I never went to Orchha, but, of course, I attended the weddingluncheon of Sujan Singh Bundela’s son in Lalitpur. But I could not spot any politician of consequence there. This can be checked from records. So where is the question of my involvement in any conspiracy?

Story continues below this ad

But were you aware of the Opposition’s moves to topple the Kalyan government? Wasn’t there some discussion at Lalitpur on the subject?

Yes, there was some discussion on it. But I was not a participant. I therefore had some inkling that something was cooking.

How can it be that you were aware of the plot without being part of it and Kalyan Singh was caught unawares?

I did not know the exact moves. But, of course, I had heard some rumours that people were planning to pull down the Kalyan government.

Story continues below this ad

You are being charged with misusing your powers to dismiss the government.

No, it is incorrect to blame me on that front. I took the decision under Article 164 of the Constitution and had before me the examples of my predecessors (Motilal Vora, who dismissed the MulayamSingh Yadav government in 1992).

But circumstances were not similar…

No two situations can be similar, but it is the core matter that remains the same.

President K.R. Narayanan is not happy with the way you took the decision and has urged the Prime Minister to remove you.

Story continues below this ad

On my resignation, I have no comments. But reports that the President is not happy with me are most ridiculous. I have known him for a long time and he had been my colleague. Please do not — and nobody should — bring the President into these discussions. Rashtrapati Bhavan has a dignity of its own. Let it remain.

Why have you been projected as an anti-BJP Governor? Chief Minister Kalyan Singh is at times very harsh on you. Is there any personal animus?

From my side, there is nothing. The Chief Minister has the constitutional and political right to speak at his own will. I go by what exists in the law.

You have also been accused of adopting a pro-Samajwadi Party stand and you hadfavoured the party’s workers during two stints of President’s Rule.

Story continues below this ad

During President’s Rule, members of all parties had come to me for their own work. But the true point is that Mulayam Singh Yadav had supported me but others chose not to speak.

Has not Mulayam Singh Yadav played a key role in bringing you to Uttar Pradesh?

I do not know who is responsible for my posting. But the fact is that H.D. Deve Gowda did it and whom he consulted is not in my knowledge.

There have been widespread reports of you spending lavishly on the renovation of Raj Bhavans in Lucknow and Nainital.

Story continues below this ad

Raj Bhavan is a place where people come to see me. I have made certain improvements to make it more beautiful. Personally, I live in one room attached with a bathroom in Raj Bhavan. This is a place where dignitaries come and should be kept clean and neat.