JD-S leader Prakash claims support from majority of MLA's

Bangalore, Oct 28: The Janata Dal(S) legislature party in Karnataka looked heading for a split as senior party leader and former minister M P Prakash, who had taken a lead to form an alternative coalition government with Congress, claimed that he enjoys the support of majority of party legislators.

Addressing newsmen here today Mr Prakash said he was upset over the developments with JD(S) leadership deciding to realign with the BJP.

Yesterday Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy met the Governor and submitted the letter of party's support for formation of BJP-led government in the state.

"This letter is illegal and invalid as no legislature party meeting was held to officially take such a decision. JD(S) is a national party and has its own constitution and it has to function within the norms. The letter submitted by Mr Kumaraswamy has no value," he said.

Stating that he would discuss the matter with the party legislators who had entrusted responsibility with him to explore avenues to form government with Congress, he said he would meet the Governor tomorrow and appraise him the ground realities.

Replying to questions Mr Prakash has said that he had not abandoned his efforts to forge an alliance with Congress to avoid mid-term elections as per the wishes of the party legislators. "The fluid political situation prevailing in the state would be cleared in a couple of days," he claimed.

Mr Prakash confirmed that Mr Kumaraswamy, who met him last night, tried to explain the situation which made him to support BJP. However his explanation was unconvincing, he said. Referring to the letter written by party supremo H D Deve Gowda to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime minister Manmohan Singh seeking immediate dissolution of the state assembly, Mr Prakash said, "as a leader of a secular party Mr Gowda had taken correct stand".

Meanwhile several leaders including BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddiyurappa, JD(S) spokesman Y S V Dutta, Vatal Paksha legislator Vatal Nagaraj, former ministers Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, Mahadev Prasad and few JD(S) legislators, now aligned with Congress, also met Mr Prakash.

Seven dissident JD(S) legislators identified with former deputy chief minister S Sidharamaiah also met MR Prakash and extended their support to him.

UNI