Date:20/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/20/stories/2006052001790400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Sindhia rules out leaving Janata Dal (S)

Special Correspondent

Accuses coalition Government of bungling on all fronts

P.G.R. Sindhia

Bangalore: The former Minister Janata Dal (Secular) leader P.G.R. Sindhia on Friday charged the H.D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition Government in the State with bungling on all fronts. However, Mr. Sindhia, one of the original members of the Janata Parivar, who refused to join the group of party MLAs led by the Chief Minister, has ruled out leaving the JD(S).

He told presspersons here that the Government had failed in several areas, including the handling of the funeral of the matinee idol Rajkumar, the Common Entrance Test and the announcement of pre-university examination results. "It is not only I who am saying this. Even the JD(S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda has asked the Chief Minister to reduce his tours and remain in Bangalore to tone up the administration. The administration of the State has virtually collapsed in recent months," Mr. Sindhia said. He, however, hastened to add that he was not seeking the dismissal of the Government. Its performance could be judged only after a year. Neither the political parties nor the people wanted mid-term elections.

There were serious lapses in the transfer of government officials, he charged. Having campaigned for the JD(S) during the last Assembly elections, "I also have a moral right to guide this Government when it commits mistakes," he said.

Mr. Sindhia said he would remain with the JD(S). "I have the highest respect for Mr. Deve Gowda and his leadership qualities."

`My stand appreciated'

He said all the national leaders of the JD(S), including the party MP, M.P. Veerendra Kumar, Surendra Mohan, Bapu Kaldate and Madhya Pradesh JD(S) president Syed Siddiqui had appreciated his stand on the party's secular ideology.

"I am of the opinion that the JD(S) should not have anything to do with the BJP. All through the last two years the JD(S) fought against the BJP and labelled it a communal party. Overnight the party changed its colours and aligned itself with the BJP, a move that in reality will strengthen the BJP," he said.