Date:27/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/27/stories/2008082753720300.htm

Karnataka

Ramachandra to remain in Congress

Staff Correspondent

DAVANGERE: S.V. Ramachandra, Congress MLA from Jagalur, has said he will not join the Bharatiya Janata party.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said he was invited by some BJP leaders to join the party and was assured the post of Minister of State. He said his conscience did not permit him to leave the Congress, and discounted all media reports that he would soon join the BJP. He, however, refused to reveal the names of the BJP leaders who had invited him to join the party.

Mr. Ramachandra said most villages in his drought-hit constituency were facing serious drinking water problems and claimed that he had brought this to the notice of the district administration, which had released Rs. 52 lakh in this regard. Sowing was yet to be undertaken on 80 per cent the cultivable land area in Jagalur owing to failure of the rains, he said adding that he had met the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister a few days ago and apprised them of the situation. Mr. Ramachandra disagreed with reports that MLAs of the ruling party would get more funds than the those of the Opposition parties and exuded confidence that he would get funds for the development of his constituency.

Congress leader D. Basavaraj was present.