Date:19/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/19/stories/2007081950040100.htm

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Venkaiah Naidu leaves it to destiny

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Bharatiya Janata Party vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu said here on Saturday that the political situation in the State did not warrant intervention by party Central leaders.

Addressing presspersons, Mr. Naidu tried to play down the recent episode of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy reportedly being upset over repeated assertions of Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa that he would be the next Chief Minister.

To a question if the BJP Central leaders had discussed the matter with the State leaders, he remarked, “Why should we discuss (the issue). There is no need for the central leadership to intervene.”

At the same time, the BJP leader struck a different note on the transfer of power from the Janata Dal (S) to the BJP, scheduled on October 3. Mr. Naidu, who had adopted an assertive stance during his last visit to the State and declared that the power transfer was not a private agreement but a solemn pact that had to be honoured by the Janata Dal (S), simply said, “whatever has to happen will happen.” He refused to make further comments on the transfer of power.

Asked how he would describe the political situation in the State, Mr. Naidu said that “Mr. Yediyurappa is a good man and the Government is doing a good job.”

When his attention was drawn to the speculation that efforts were on to forge an alliance between the Congress and the Janata Dal (S), the BJP leader said he would not doubt the intentions of the Chief Minister.