After a running battle with Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj for recommending President's Rule in the state, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday softened his stand. Yeddyurappa said he would not utter a "single word" against Bhardwaj and would respect the gubernatorial post.
He also ruled out seeking a vote of confidence in the legislative assembly, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party government led by him enjoyed "maximum majority". Until Monday, the chief minister maintained that the agitation in the state demanding Bhardwaj's recall by the Centre would continue.
Yeddyurappa, however, said the party's state unit was "independent" and was free to agitate against the governor. When asked if it's possible to have a working relationship with the governor after what happened in the past one week, the chief minister said, "As long as he sits in the governor's chair we have to respect him. I will conduct myself accordingly."
Yeddyurappa said the question of his seeking a trust vote does not arise. "The government headed by me enjoys maximum majority and so there is no need to prove it".
He also said the state government had not received any advisory from the Centre. Yeddyurappa said the week-long political crisis had no impact on development and other progressive work, and it was business as usual.
