J D (S) declines to transfer power to BJP

New Delhi, Oct 5 (UNI) Janata Dal (Secular) President H D Deve Gowda tonight told his BJP counterpart Rajnath Singh that the party has no intention to transfer power to the BJP notwithstanding the earlier agreement, inside sources said.

Mr Gowda communicated his party's view to Mr Singh in a meeting soon after an 'inconclusive' meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of his party this evening. Although it was officially announced that Mr Gowda will be meeting Mr Singh at a a mutually agreed common place tomorrow, the meeting has taken place tonight itself, a top JD (S) told UNI.

Sources however declined to reveal where the meeting is held but indications are that it may be taking place at the residence of industrialist turned Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrashekher.

Earlier, the meeting, attended by Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Home Minister M P Prakash, apprised the JD (S) PAC about the 20-month old uneasy coalition with the BJP.

Under the agreement reached, the BJP was to get chief ministership from the JD (S) on October three. The BJP Ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, have resigned their posts while the Chief Minister has convened the Legislative Assembly session on October 18.

The BJP has scheduled its Parliamentary Board's meeting for tomorrow morning and the meeting with Mr Gowda and Mr Singh was to take place before it. The Board made it clear in its yesterday's meeting that the the issue of transfer of power to BJP for the rest of the 20 months term and chief ministership to Mr B S Yediyurappa was 'non-negotiable'.

Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP Legislature Party Leader, Mr Yediyurappa led a delegation of state MPs to party leadership asking them to get a final word from the JD (S) on transfer of power to the BJP by tomorrow evening, failing which the party should permit the Karnataka Legislature party to withdraw its support to the government. Asked about this statement, JD(S) secretary general Kunwar Danish Ali said it was a matter between Mr Yediyurappa and his party and he had nothing to say on the issue.

Answering questions on transfer of power, Mr General Mr Ali said the Chief Minister and his government was in its place and he had convened Legislature session on October 18 and whatever the 'doubts and questions' that persist on the longevity of the coalition would become clear by that time. He replied in the negative to a question if the party had sought Congress' support for the JD (S) Government, in the event of a BJP-JD (S) breakup.

UNI