'Dissolution of K'taka Assembly only way way out': Siddarmaiah

New Delhi, Nov 2 (UNI) As the Centre prevaricates its decision on the demand to revive the suspension of Karnataka Assembly, a Congress delegation today said dissolution of the 224 member House was the best solution in the present circumstances.

Led by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddarmaiah, the delagation met several senior Congress leaders, including Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, Law Minister H R Bhardwaj and argued that the law and constitution cannot allow the BJP-Janata Dal (Secular)-led coalition to come back to power because their actions had resulted in the fall of the 20-month -old government.

The two parties had indulged in a full scale war after they fell apart and JD (S) President H D Deve Gowda had sought the dissolution of the Assembly on October 24. When the BJP and JD (S) patched up their differences they announced the latter had given an 'unconditional support' the BJP led coalition but only yesterday, Mr Gowda came up with his dozen demands and conditions with his alliance partner.

This being the case, there is no scope for these warring parties to provide a stable administration and the Governor should not go by the numbers alone but should consider if these parties can maintain stability of government and keep up the interest of the state and deliver development to the people. Mr Gowda had made a U-turn to save his party and the development of the state was his least botheration, the leaders told mediapersons after their meetings.

Besides Mr Siddarmaiah, former Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar, former Karnataka Ministers R V Deshpande, Kagodu Thimmappa, V S Ugrappa were part of the delegation. They said they had sought permission from the Pradesh Congress before proceeding to Delhi.

Asked about the reaction of the Congress leaders to their demand, Mr Siddaramaiah said ''they have heard our arguments and have agreed to take a decision as per the law and constitution.'' The Assembly was kept under suspended animation on October 9.

Six days ago, the BJP-JD (S) legislators have staked claim to form the government with election Mr B S Yeddyurappa of the BJP as the Joint Legislature Party leader.

UNI