Date:21/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/21/stories/2007112153990400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Political developments divide Janata Dal (S) MLAs

S. Rajendran

Kumaraswamy speaks of floating regional outfit
Deve Gowda loyalists brush aside the idea

BANGALORE: The Janata Dal (Secular) that withdrew support to the B.S. Yeddyurappa Ministry leading to its collapse is trying to deal with a serious problem of dissidence amongst its legislators. There is a great deal of resentment against the first family of the Janata Dal (S), with a group of legislators trying to break out of its grip.

With the former Prime Minister and party president H.D. Deve Gowda away in New Delhi, the onus of maintaining party unity, particularly within the legislature party, is now on the shoulders of the former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

On Tuesday, Mr. Kumaraswamy announced that he was not averse to floating a new regional party which would restrict itself to the State unlike the Janata Dal (S) which had a presence in several States.

This had been described by the party leaders as only “loud thinking” since no discussion had been initiated on this score.

Mr. Kumaraswamy, it appears, has chosen to go along with the dissident view point in order to express his solidarity with them thus maintaining the party unity.

Sources close to the H.D. Deve Gowda family told The Hindu that the statement of Mr. Kumaraswamy was made “in a fit of anger.

He is a troubled person. Everything will be alright after Mr. Deve Gowda returns to Bangalore and speaks to him.”

Mr. Deve Gowda said he was yet to talk to Mr Kumaraswamy. “When important decisions are taken there can be differences. We will sort it out,” he said.

Meanwhile, despite the Union Cabinet recommending President’s rule and dissolution of the Legislative Assembly, several political leaders were stated to be still working at government formation.

Some MLAs hopeful

While some leaders are still working to form a government with the Congress, there are others who were in touch with the BJP.

The steps being pursued were similar to what happened after Mr Kumaraswamy tendered his resignation on October 8.

Mr. Kumaraswamy had a detailed discussion with Mr. Deve Gowda on the political developments in the State and requested him to press for dissolution of the Legislative Assembly rather than work at forging another political alliance with the Congress.

“Under the present situation, it is better to seek a fresh mandate rather than cobble up another alliance,” he said.