'JD-S ready to face elections if forced into it'

Bangalore, Aug 21: Maintaining a stoic silence on transfer of power to coalition partner BJP slated for October three, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today indicated that the Janata Dal (Secular) will not hesitate to face the elections 'if things were forced on it.'

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the swearing in ceremony of new State Governor C P Rameshwar Thakur, he said ''an unnecessary confusion has been created over the issue of transfer of power to coalition partner BJP in October.'' Advising the media to wait until October two, Mr Kumaraswamy discounted rumours that the JD(S) would ditch the BJP at the last minute and deny Chief Ministership to that party, as decided earliers.

However, referring to the Congress leaders' statements on early polls, he asserted that ''if things are forced on us, we will not hesitate to go to the people, seeking a fresh mandate.'' On the appointment of new Governor, the Chief Minister said Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had informed him about it a couple of days ago. ''The new Governor has rich experience in administration and the State shall immensely benefit out of it,''he said.

UNI