SP wants JD(S) to join UPA: Bangarappa

Udupi, Oct 18 (UNI) Karnataka Samajwadi Party (SP) President and former Chief Minister S Bangarappa today said the SP was making all out efforts to persuade theJanata Dal (Secular) to join the Congress-led United Progress Alliance (UPA) government at the centre to fight against the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said talks were on in this direction with JD(S) Supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

Mr Bangarappa said the SP would have an understanding with the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha polls in continuation of extending support during the July 22 trust vote on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

He said based on the winning chances, the SP would demand the Congress for about five Parliamentary seats in the state.

He had decided to contest the Parliamentary election from Shimoga, Mr Bangarappa said, adding the party had winning chances in Udupi, Chikmagalore, Karwar and Haveri parliamentary constituencies.

No party would get single majority in the coming elections and formation of coalition government at the Centre would become imminent, he claimed.

In this background, the party leadership had decided to join the UPA and had mutual campaigning for the coming Lok Sabha elections, he added.

Criticizing the BJP, Mr Bangarappa alleged it was playing 'dirty politics' in the state by indulging in wooing the leaders from other parties.

He further charged the BJP government in the state has failed to keep up its promises made to the people such as supply of rice at Rs 2 per kilo and unemployment allowance.

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