Bangalore, May 23 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members late Sunday burst crackers and distributed sweets at several places in Karnataka to welcome the central government's rejection of Governor H.R. Bhardwaj's recommendation to dismiss the B.S. Yeddyurappa ministry.

 
 Scores of BJP members and supporters gathered in front of Yeddyurappa's residence here, lit crackers and shared sweets while the chief minister himself was on way to New Delhi when the central government announced its decision.
 
 "It is a victory for the constitution and people," Home Minister R. Ashoka told reporters here after union Home Minister P. Chidambaram announced in New Delhi that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs had "decided not to accept his (Governor's) recommendations."
 
 The CCPA's decision came exactly a week after Bhardwaj recommended dismissal following Supreme Court May 13 order restoring membership of 16 lawmakers, 11 of the BJP and five Independents - disqualified for rebelling against Yeddyurappa in October last year.
 
 This is the second time in eight months that the central government had rejected Bhardwaj's report calling for dismissal of the Yeddyuappa ministry.
 
 Bhardwaj had sought the sacking in October last year after the trust vote Yeddyurappa sought, following the rebellion by the 16 law makers, was marred by pandemonium.
 
 Yeddyurappa won the second trust vote three days after central government told Bhardwaj to advise the chief minister to do so.
 
 The BJP had launched an agitation in various parts of Karnataka demanding not only rejection of Bhardwaj's report but also his immediate recall.
 
 "We will go by the decision of our central leaders (on whether to continue agitating for Bhardwaj's recall)," Ashoka told reporters.
 
 In New Delhi, Chidambaram said: "The CCPA today (Sunday) met to discuss the Karnataka Governor's report and after careful consideration decided not to accept his recommendation."