Karnataka - Bangalore

Government will complete its term: Rajnath

BANGALORE: Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh on Monday expressed confidence that the BJP-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition Government headed by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa would complete its full term.

“I am confident the Government will complete its full term because the initiative to form the Government has come from our coalition partner, the Janata Dal (S),” Mr. Singh told a press conference after the swearing-in ceremony.

However, he tried to play down the decision of the Janata Dal (S) to desist from swearing in its nominees on Monday along with those of the BJP. He also tried to downplay the absence of prominent Janata Dal (S) leaders, including party president H.D. Deve Gowda, at the swearing-in ceremony. “Mr. Deve Gowda is not keeping well for the past few days. I will talk to him and enquire about his health,” he said.

Mr. Singh evaded direct reply to queries on the BJP’s response to Mr. Deve Gowda’s 12-point conditions imposed on it. “Janata Dal (S) legislature party leader H.D. Kumaraswamy has already made it clear that their support to us is unconditional,” he noted. But, when reminded that the Janata Dal (S) has not withdrawn the conditions, but only termed them as suggestions, Mr. Singh maintained that Mr. Deve Gowda had communicated his intention to meet him (Mr. Singh) to hold discussions in this regard after Governor Rameshwar Thakur invited Mr. Yeddyurappa to form a government

Replying to a question, Mr. Singh said he had total trust in Mr. Deve Gowda. Mr. Yeddyurappa remarked that he had confidence not just in Mr. Gowda, but also in the Opposition leaders.

With the swearing in of Mr. Yeddyurappa as Chief Minister, the BJP had now expanded its base in all the four directions of the country, Mr. Singh said.

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