Kumaraswamy firm in forming Govt with BJP

     Udupi (Karnataka): Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy Gowda, who has joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form an alternative government in the state, today said that there is no change in his decision. Kumaraswamy told media that he is firm on his decision relating to the formation of an alternative government with BJP, irrespective of the outcome of inconclusive talks between his father and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

    He said further that his party and the BJP are working like brothers. In Bangalore, Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Wednesday met senior party leaders and understood to have discussed his meeting with Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi on the ongoing political crises in Karnataka. On Tuesday, the JD(S) supremo had held inconclusive talks with Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the options available with them to salvage the coalition government in Karnataka. After his arrival from New Delhi today, Deve Gowda, however, declined to take any questions from reporters on the outcome of his talks with Sonia Gandhi. "I have nothing to say now. Whenever I have something to say, I will tell you", he said. During his meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Deve Gowda apparently presented a nine-point charter of demands to her, which came a day after the former backed his son and rebel JDS leader, H D Kumaraswamy. Kumaraswamy's action in withdrawing support to Dharam Singh's government brought the Congress-JD(S) coalition to a near collapse. Chief Minister N Dharam Singh is slated to seek a vote of confidence on January 27. Meanwhile, there are reports that JD(S) rebel legislators have begun their visit to places of pilgrimage in Udupi district, a day after arriving at Karwar from Goa where they were holidaying fearing poaching attempts by the Congress.

   On January 18, JD (S) rebels under the leadership of Deve Gowda's son, H. D. Kumaraswamy, had 'split' their party and called on Governor T N Chaturvedi and submitted a letter withdrawing their support to the coalition government along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With 79 MLAs of BJP and 46 MLAs of JD(S) supporting him, Kumaraswamy was all set to become the next CM. The Governor of Karnataka T N Chaturvedi, however, later gave incumbent CM Dharma Singh a week's time to prove his majority, a move vehemently opposed by the BJP. JD(S) spokesman Danish Ali told reporters yesterday that talks between the two leaders were inconclusive and he may meet Gandhi again. The Congress, it is said, is ready to offer two Deputy Chief Ministerships to JD(S) but would not yield on Chief Ministership. In another proposal, Kumaraswamy has been offered to be accommodated in the Central Cabinet. However, under the pact with BJP, Kumaraswamy has been offered Chief Ministership. In his public statements in the last few days he has been ruling out any patch up with Congress.

Gowda returns to brief leaders about Sonia talks
by K G Vasuki

    Bangalore: Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H. D. Deve Gowda returned here today from Delhi and he is expected to brief senior party leaders and functionaries about his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi later in the day. Party sources said that Deve Gowda might take the decision on the fate of the present coalition in Bangalore after ascertaining the views of senior party leaders, including PG R Sindhia, M P Prakash and other party functionaries. The JD(S) supremo had gone to New Delhi on Tuesday where he had held discussions with Sonia Gandhi about the options available with them to salvage the coalition government in the State. He is believed to have presented a nine-point charter of demands to the Congress chief during their meeting, which reportedly ended inconclusively. Sources said on Tuesday that there could be another meeting between the two leaders.

    Back to Headlines                  Go To Top