Date:27/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/27/stories/2007052707280400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Ansari's remark causes a flutter

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The Janata Dal (Secular) on Saturday resorted to a damage-control exercise after Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari said at an election meeting in Ullal constituency that the JD(S) would not hand over the Chief Minister's post to the Bharatiya Janata Party. According to the agreement between the coalition partners, the BJP will head the Government after the 20-month term of the JD(S) at the helm

What added weight to the Minister's statement was the presence of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy at the election meeting.

Top leaders of the JD(S) and the BJP are in damage-control mode, and the JD(S) has told the BJP that the party would honour the agreement with the BJP. The BJP has refrained from any official reaction.

The Chief Minister, who is now on an election tour, said he was committed to the agreement with the BJP. "I have mentioned this several times, and there is no need to repeat myself. With regard to the statement of the Labour Minister, I will inquire with him and ascertain in what context he made the statement."

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who is reportedly upset with the Mr. Ansari's statement, said he did not want to react. "For the next five months I do not want to talk. It is for the JD(S) and the Chief Minister, in particular, to abide by the commitment given to the BJP." He was also doubtful whether the subject would figure in the meeting of coordination committee of the two parties.

Senior BJP leader and Minister for Water Resources K.S. Eshwarappa said, "Iqbal Ansari's remarks need not be taken seriously. Maybe it is for publicity. I am sure the JD(S) will transfer power to the BJP after 20 months."