Dharam ridicules coalition set up in K'taka

Bangalore, Mar 22 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly N Dharam Singh today ridiculed the new Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition set up in the state and said the ''power hungry'' arrangement would not last long.

Initiating the general discussion on the budget estimates for 2006-07, he termed the formation of the new government as a 'freak incident' which did not have the blessings of the people. Any government that depended mainly on the numerical strength of legislators would not last long, he observed.

Criticising Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for joining hands with the BJP, he said he did not realise the 'hidden agenda' of that party.

He challenged the ruling coalition partners to face the election and return to power, instead of huddling the legislators in resorts as had been done prior to the formation of the new government.

Mr Singh observed that the budget lacked vision and clear cut policies on various issues relating to the welfare of the people. It was a directionless budget which had failed to create any impression or confidence, he added.

Earlier, the Congress members took exception to the absence of the Chief Minister and other senior ministers and officials in the House. However, the issue was resolved soon after the Chief Minister and his Deputy B S Yediyurappa came to the House. The discussion was inconclusive for the day.

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