Date:28/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/28/stories/2007092860850100.htm

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Ball is in BJP’s court: Gowda

Special Correspondent

It is for them to resolve the confusion, he says

Janata Dal (S) president H.D. Deve Gowda addresses a press conference in Bangalore

BANGALORE: The transfer of power from the Janata Dal (Secular) to the Bharatiya Janata Party on October 3 appears remote with the former Prime Minister and national president of the JD(S), H.D. Deve Gowda, stating a “congenial atmosphere” must prevail before discussions could be held with central BJP leaders on the issue.

“The ball is now in the BJP court. Let them resolve the confusion before the talks, if any, commence.”

Mr. Gowda, who left for New Delhi on Wednesday to hold discussions with BJP president Rajnath Singh, returned here early on Thursday on getting news of the attempt-to-murder petition filed by BJP Minister B. Sriramulu against his (Mr. Gowda’s) son, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. No case has, however, been registered.

Addressing a crowded press conference, Mr. Gowda said: “It is the first time in the history of the country that a Cabinet Minister has filed a complaint against a Chief Minister. If this is the situation even before handing over charge, what will happen when the BJP is given the reins of power? Imagine the fate of the common people.”

Mr. Gowda repeatedly alluded to the “humiliation” he and his family were put to, first by the Congress and now by the BJP.

In his complaint, which the Bellary police did not register, Mr. Sriramulu named Mr. Kumaraswamy the first accused in an attempt to “kill” him during an incident on Tuesday when a large group of JD(S) activists attempted to storm a BJP member’s house.

The Minister’s allegation was that the Chief Minister and his political Secretary N. Suryanarayan Reddy abetted the attack.

What shocked the JD (S), Mr. Gowda said, was the open support extended to this Minister by State BJP president D.V. Sadananda Gowda and general secretary S. Suresh Kumar.

“I hope the central BJP leaders will look into all this,” he said.

On the possibility of mid-term elections to the Assembly, Mr. Gowda said nothing could be ruled out.

PTI reports:

Avoid haste: MLAs

Mr. Kumaraswamy told PTI that several legislators were in favour of his continuing as Chief Minister until the JD(S) and the BJP resolved the power transfer issue. However, “I don’t want to belittle my image before the public, reneging on my promise. I will step down on October 3.”

While the JD(S) legislators wanted Mr. Kumaraswamy to take them into confidence before quitting, the BJP MLAs suggested that he hold parleys with their leaders.