Date:07/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/07/stories/2007060710260400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Ansari reiterates his stand

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: Minister for Labour and Minority Welfare Iqbal Ansari on Wednesday reiterated that he would not continue in the Ministry if H.D. Kumaraswamy stepped down from the Chief Minister's post in October.

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelights of a function organised by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Languages on Wednesday, he said the Janata Dal (S) should retain the post of Chief Minister "in the interests of the State and its development."

Even while refusing to disclose names, Mr. Ansari stuck to his earlier claim that several BJP Ministers and legislators were in favour of the JD (S) continuing in power. "This is not a secret. Everyone knows it, though it is being made out as if I dropped a bombshell. I have only said it in public," he said.

Asked if he was trying to create a rift within BJP, he said, "How can I destabilise a national party? I am a small man, a first-time Minister. I am only stating a fact," he said.

The Minister had created a tumult in political circles by stating in the course of a campaign speech at Ullal that more than 30 BJP MLAs were in favour of Mr. Kumaraswamy continuing in power.