Congress dares JD-S to dissolve K'taka Assembly

Bangalore, Sep 19: The Congress in Karnataka today dared the Janata Dal (Secular) leadership to dissolve the Assembly and seek a fresh mandate from the people's court.

Reacting on the ten-point chargesheet released yesterday by the JD (S) National President H D Devegowda against the Congress here, State Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge and others decried the attitude of Mr Devegowda in treating his coalition partners. It was unfortunate that being the former Prime Minister he had criticised the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) formed under the Constitutional principles. This showed that Mr Devegowda had no regard for principles and the Country's constitution, he chided.

He said Mr Devegowda had become frustrated and hence he chose to attack the Congress to cover up the corruption issue involving his Chief Minister son H D Kumaraswamy. He reiterated the demand for a CBI probe into corruption charge of Rs 150 crore, allegedly paid by mine lobby, involving the Chief Minister as the Supreme Court had observed in other cases that functioning of a commission in any state had its own limitations and the report might be delayed.

Besides, the terms of reference announced by the state government with regard to collection of bribe from mine owners in Bellary district was not included in terms of reference, he pointed out.

He said Congress leaders need not take any lesson from a person like Mr Devegowda who had maintained 'double standards' to finish off his political rivals. ''Let him not threaten any individual as the people are our masters ultimately,'' he added.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who recently joined Congress, termed as 'totally false' the claim made by Mr Devegowda that he argued before Sonia Gandhi on behalf of Siddaramaiah for the Chief Ministership and said Mr Devegowda and his family members had mastered the art of telling lies. In fact the discussions were held in Sharad Pawar's house in which even leaders like P G R Sindhia and Home Minister M P Prakash were present where Mr Devegowda told clearly that his party was satisfied with the post Deputy Chief Ministership, he contended.

Opposition Leader in the Assembly Dharam Singh, who was also present, clarified that Mr Devegowda never wrote to him about policy and programmes except those related to postings and transfers.

UNI