Date:12/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/12/stories/2008041259191300.htm

National

BJP destroying coalition: JD(U)

Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (United) alliance has once again come under tension over the sharing of seats in Karnataka; JD(U) president Sharad Yadav has charged that the BJP had “torn to shreds” the long-standing understanding between the two parties.

Mr. Yadav warned that the JD(U) would decide its “next course of action” after a parliamentary party meeting when the budget session resumed on April 15.

Asked whether this lack of understanding in Karnataka could upset the alliance in Bihar, he said that in politics one should take only one step at a time.

While the BJP views this as part of pressure tactics to get more seats — the JD(U) contested 25 Assembly seats in 2004 but the BJP leaders feel that ground reality dictates they should contest fewer this time — the JD(U) has stated that the “bigger party” in Karnataka, the BJP, did not have even the courtesy to talk to the JD(U) before declaring on Thursday its candidates for 136 seats.

JD(U) sources indicated that the BJP had declared candidates for 12 of a list of 25 seats which had been given to BJP leader and chief ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa.

“The BJP has torn coalition dharma to shreds,” Mr. Yadav said.