Let there be elections in Karnataka: Deve Gowda

New Delhi, Nov 21: Janata Dal (Secular) chief Deve Gowda said that his party was prepared for elections in Karnataka, where President"s rule was imposed today for the second time in less than two months, and the State Assembly has been kept under suspended animation.

“I welcome it. Let there be elections," Gowda said at a press conference here, a day after his party decided to oppose the confidence motion on BJP-JD (S) coalition government in the State Assembly.

On the issue of power transfer to the BJP, Gowda said that the issue was discussed “on the streets", instead of being discussed among themselves.

At the same time, he refused to admit that there was lack of communication between the BJP and the JD (S) leadership.

Gowda stuck to the 12-point MoU sent to the BJP leaders, saying it was not to be taken lightly.

The BJP did not heed to the JD (S) demand of signing the 12-point MoU that would have led to the former parting away from the crucial portfolios in the next cabinet.

Hours after the Union Cabinet decided to impose President"s rule in the State, and also place the State Assembly under suspended animation, President Pratibha Patil signed the proclamation bringing the State under Central rule.

However, it has been decided to dissolve the State Assembly when government approaches Parliament.

Earlier this morning, the Union Cabinet held a meeting at the official residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the ongoing political situation in the State after B S Yeddyurappa resigned as the Chief Minister on Monday.

The government will seek the approval of Parliament for imposition of Central rule in Karnataka and dissolution of the State Assembly at the "earliest opportunity," Union Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said after the Cabinet meeting.

"We are coming back to Parliament both for approval of President's rule and dissolution of the House," he said.

The Cabinet reportedly accepted Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur's suggestions for President"s rule, as there was no possibility of formation of any alternative government.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) met late last night where Manmohan Singh considered Thakur"s report, but took no decision.

The Governor had sent his report to the Cabinet soon after Yeddyurappa resigned following J D (S), coalition partner of the BJP in the State, decided to oppose the confidence motion in the State Assembly, thereby turning the government into a minority.

This is the second time since October that the JD (S) has pulled the rug under the feat of the BJP.

A month ago, on October 7, the BJP had to withdraw its support from the coalition after the JD (S) failed to live up to its promise to hand over the power to Yeddyurappa as per the agreement reached between the two-parties twenty months ago.

Yeddyurappa yesterday said he was 'cheated' by the BJP leadership, not once but twice.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh termed the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) decision as a 'betrayal', and said that it was former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy who decided to give them an 'unconditional' support for forming the next government in the State after President's rule was invoked in the State.

A shocked BJP in Delhi has given indication that the party is ready to face mid-term polls in the State, and would try to highlight the twice betrayal by the JD (S).

In the present State Assembly, the BJP has the highest number of legislators with 79 MLAs, followed by the Congress with 65 MLAs, which excludes the eight other members led by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who broke away from the JD (S) to join the Congress.

Kumaraswamy led JD (S) has officially 57 members in the legislature, but its strength is down to 48 after Siddaramaiah's defection.

The smaller parties and independents only add to 17 in the 224-member Assembly.

ANI

>