K'taka: JD-S leader wants HDK to continue as CM

Bangalore, July 25: Uncertanity over transfer of power from Janata Dal(Secular) to Bharatiya Janata Party in October, as agreed upon prior to the formation of coalition government in Karnataka 17 months ago, gained further strength with another JD(S) leader B C Patil speaking out openly against it.

Criticising Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa for his 'partisan' approach in taking up development works, actor-turned politician B C Patil became the latest politician from that party to oppose the transfer of power. "We would rather face elections than handing over the Chief Ministership to the BJP, especially to Mr Yediyurappa," Mr Patil said here today.

Speaking to UNI, he accused Mr Yediyurappa of creating obstructions through his followers in taking up of welfare programmes in his constituency of Hirekerur, the neighouring constituency of Shikaripur from where Mr Yediyurappa was elected.

Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari was the first person to come out against the transfer of power. Housing Minister D T Jayakumar and M Venkatesh, an MLA from Heggadadevanakote, were the other JD(S) politicians who were against transfer of the Chief Minsiter's post to BJP and supported Mr Kumaraswamy to continue as the Chief Minister.

According to the February 2005 agreement, the two parties had agreed to share the post of the Chief Minister for 20 months each before the next election, with JD(S) taking the reigns first.

"I will not compomise on the issue of opposing the handing over the Chief Ministership to Mr Yediyurappa. I am responsible for the development of the people of my constituency and Mr Yediyurappa is trying to put road blocks. How can I support such a Chief Minister", he asked.

"I am responsible for the people of my constituency and not Mr Yediyurappa," he said adding that the state would witness a big change in the political scenario next month.

UNI