Date:05/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/05/stories/2007110550070100.htm

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Media has distorted my statements: Kumaraswamy

Special Correspondent

‘Deve Gowda’s conditions were only in the nature of suggestions’

Bangalore: The former Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy, here on Sunday announced that the Janata Dal (S) would extend “unconditional support” to the BJP.

Describing the 12 conditions put forth by party president H.D. Deve Gowda as “suggestions” aimed at ensuring smooth running of the government, Mr. Kumaraswamy demanded to know if any of them was difficult to implement. “It was only meant to sort out a few things in the light of the experiences the Janata Dal (S) had with the BJP while running the coalition earlier,” he said at a press conference. The party was even willing to persuade Mr. Deve Gowda to drop these suggestions, he said. Mr. Kumaraswamy, however, added that his party should not be held responsible for any administrative problems that might crop up later.

The media was the target of Mr. Kumaraswamy’s anger. He blamed the television channels for “portraying the party badly in the eyes of the public.” He claimed that the media had distorted his earlier comments.This was a reference to his much-publicised statement on Saturday that he would not support the BJP if “they create a wrong impression in the public mind” about the suggestions of Mr. Deve Gowda and him.

He had made this statement before presspersons after his meeting with the Governor at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday. His objection was only to the BJP holding a public rally, the Chief Minister claimed.

He had taken the decision not to parade MLAs before the President because both the parties had already submitted affidavits of 129 MLAs to the Governor to demonstrate their support to form the government, Mr. Kumaraswamy argued. However, he added that they could be paraded “if the need arose.”