BJP confident of winning confidence vote in K'TAKA

Bangalore, Nov 17 (UNI) Karnataka BJP President D V Sadananda Gouda today expressed confidence thatnotwithstanding the conditions set by Janata Dal (Secular President H D Deve Gowda, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa would win the confidence vote in the 225-member State Assembly on November 19.

Talking to UNI here, Mr Gouda reminded that JD(S), after forging an alliance with the BJP again, had extended unconditional support to form the next government and also communicated it to Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur.

Blaming the media for creating ''unnecessary'' confusion over Mr Deve Gowda's conditions and reported threats to withdraw the JD(S) support to the government, the state party chief categorically denied that cracks had developed between the two coalition partners even before Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa seeking the crucial vote of confidence.

Stating that he was not aware of any pre-conditions set by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda to form the government and sign it before seeking vote of confidence, Mr Gouda exuded confidence that the coalition government led by Mr Yeddyurappa would complete its term.

He brushed aside the media reports that crisis awaits the new-coalition, when he Yeddyurappa seeks vote of confidence, terming it as ''baseless''. ''When all Legislators, who were supporting Mr Yeddyurappa submitted individual letters affirming their faith on the BJP and having elected Mr Yeddyurappa as their Joint Legislature Party leader, where is the question of threat to coalition government,'' he questioned.

UNI