CM spurns BJP's 'ultimatum' on power transfer

Bangalore, Oct 2 (UNI) Rejecting the BJP's ultimatum seeking his resignation by this evening, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said such assertions will not help the smooth transfer of power in the state.

Speaking to newspersons before unveiling a statue of Babu Jagajivan Ram in the Vidhana Soudha premises here, he criticised the ''deadline'' set by BJP leaders yesterday on transfer of power, saying ''it showed their hunger for power''.

Referring to transfer of power from People's Democratic Party to the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Kumaraswamy said in similar circumstances the Congress waited for more than three months despite a power sharing agreement reached between the leaders of the two parties.

''Except two ministers belonging to BJP, no other leaders have formally approached me and sought transfer of power. Twenty months ago an agreement was reached between myself and B S Yediyurappa on the formation of coalition government and sharing of power. There was no party understanding as such,'' he recalled.

The Chief Minister said he had convened a meeting of party legislators this evening, to discuss the issue of transfer of power.

''There is a need to elicit the opinions of legislators on whose desire I became Chief Minister,'' he said.

UNI