Dramatic turn to political events in Karnataka

Bangalore, Oct 27 (UNI) In a sudden development, Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka did a volte face and chose to re-align with Bharatiya Janata Party to keep Congress at bay to form a coalition government.

JD(S) legislators met at a guest house in presence of former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and decided to support the BJP to form a government. Accordingly state party chief Mirajuddin Patel, party spokesman Y S V Datta and former minister N Chaluvarayaswamy went and held discussions with senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu in presence of state leaders to firm up the revival of the alliance.

Mr Naidu airdashed to the city early in the morning sensing the change in the mindset of JD(S) leaders even as a section of legislators led by M P Prakash were camping in New Delhi to meet Congress leaders to explore possibilities of forming a government.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting Mr Kumaraswamy announced the decision to realign with BJP and charged the Congress with attempting to 'split and destroy' the JD(S) after he resigned on October 8. Asked whether the decision had the blessings of the party supremo H D Devegowda he said ' wait and see.' He also ruled out disciplinary action against Mr Prakash and others for their action and said the party had given them a free hand to go ahead and explore the possibilities of forming a new government.

The state came under the President Rule soon after the resignation of Mr Kumaraswamy following recommendations by Governor Rameshwar Thakur to the President. The centre while imposing the President's rule, kept the Assembly in suspended animation.

UNI