Date:05/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/05/stories/2006100505550400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Coalition partners lock horns at coordination panel meet

Special Correspondent

JD(S) opposes controversial programmes; BJP firm that they be held

DISCORDANT NOTES: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and other leaders at the coordination committee meeting of the Janata Dal (S) and the BJP in Bangalore on Wednesday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Bangalore: The Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday took divergent stands at the coordination committee meeting of the two parties held here to discuss whether permission should be granted for the controversial Datta Mala, Shoba Yatra and Datta Jayanthi.

After heated discussions lasting over four hours, the coordination committee meeting did not arrive at a decision on the sensitive issues and it is expected to meet again on Thursday. Later in the day, Home Minister, M.P. Prakash, as authorised by the coordination committee, held discussions with senior officials such as the Home Secretary, the Law Secretary and the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police on whether the Government could permit the programmes under the prevailing circumstances at Bababudangiri in Chikmagalur district. The outcome of the discussions with the officials would also be placed before the coordination committee.

While Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy categorically ruled out granting permission for all the programmes since it was violative of the orders of the Karnataka High Court, the BJP leaders led by Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and State unit president of BJP D.V. Sadananda Gowda said that it was imperative for the Government to grant permission as there was no such court order directing that the Government should refrain from according permission.

Others who attended the meeting were Mr. Prakash, Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari and Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna of the JD (S) and Higher Education Minister D.H. Shankaramurthy, Minister for Water Resources K.S. Eshwarappa and Minister for Muzrai and Fisheries B. Nagaraj Shetty of the BJP. Advocate-General Uday Holla explained the salient features of the various court orders pertaining to the issue, in particular the March 2006 order which refers to the maintenance of law and order at Bababudangiri.

Mr. Kumaraswamy and Mr. Prakash told The Hindu that granting permission for such programmes as Datta Mala and Shoba Yatra would not merely affect the understanding between the two coalition partners but also the image of the coalition Government. It would, therefore, be appropriate to maintain the status quo. The Datta Mala, Shoba Yatra and Datta Jayanthi were banned in 2004 and the organisers stayed clear of observing these programmes in 2005. Incidentally, Chikmagalur district in-charge Minister Mr. Shankaramurthy was arrested in 2004 when he challenged the authorities and attempted to go ahead with the programme along with his followers.

Mr. Sadananda Gowda told The Hindu that the JD (S) was misinterpreting the court orders, apparently to prevent the BJP from organising the Datta Jayanthi. In March 2006, the court had only made a passing remark relating to maintenance of law and order.