Signalling escalation of friction between the BJP government and governor H R Bhardwaj, the state cabinet on Wednesday asked him not to permit prosecution of chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on alleged land scams, saying that such a move was nothing short of a "farce and colourable" exercise on his part.

"Your Excellency's action of consideration of the request for sanction will not inspire confidence that the decision would be judicious, fair and bonafide", the cabinet said in a strongly-worded resolution passed at an emergent meeting.

The cabinet meeting, second since yesterday, came a day after Bhardwaj said he was considering the petition filed by a lawyers forum seeking sanction for prosecution of Yeddyurappa as also home minister R Ashoka on alleged scams.

Asserting that neither any investigating agency nor commission of inquiry had indicted the chief minister or the home minister, the resolution said the "intended exercise" of the power by the Governor to process the request for sanction "is wholly without jurisdiction".

Briefing reporters, law minister Suresh Kumar said the resolution will be sent to Bhardwaj, who has set the January 20 deadline for the government to submit to him 93 files pertaining to alleged scams relating to denotification and allotment of prime lands in Karnataka.

The cabinet, however, did not discuss the issue of seeking recall of Bhardwaj, who, since assuming the gubernatorial office, has lost no opportunity to put the BJP government in the dock regularly on many issues, infuriating the saffron party, which has dubbed him a "Congress agent."

Bhardwaj said yesterday he was considering the petition from "all angles" but had termed the issue as "ticklish".

Kumar said when Yeddyurappa called on the governor on December 31, Bhardwaj had indicated that he will accord sanction to prosecute the chief minister immediately after the Republic Day.

Also, delegations led by certain Congress and JD(S) leaders who met Bhardwaj were also told in no uncertain terms about the said intentions, Kumar said.