Cong to wait for JD(S)-BJP combine to fall in K'taka: Antony

Bangalore, June 20 (UNI) AICC General Secretary A K Antony today said his party would not destabilise the JD(S)-BJP coalition government in the state, but wait for it to fall on its own.

Talking to newspersons after holding consultations with partymen for three days here, he said no miracle would happen immediately resulting in the fall of the Kumaraswamy-led government.

''Now both BJP and JD(S) will patch up, but this unnatural alliance will not continue. On our own we will not do anything, but only highlight the mistakes of the new coalition government,'' he added.

Ruling out the Congress aligning with any other party in future elections, Mr Antony said the party would fight on its own and bounce back to power in the state.

Mr Antony, also incharge of state affairs, said he has advised the partymen to shed the baggage they had gathered when in power and spread it to rural areas to win back the confidence of people, instead of concentrating on Bangalore.

''Bangalore is no doubt important, but partymen should mingle with rural people too,'' he added.

To a question, Mr Antony said there was no immediate plans to remove former chief minister N Dharam Singh from the post of Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly.

Asked about the possibility of former deputy chief minister and All India Progressive Janata Dal leader Siddaramaiah joining the Congress, he said the party has not received any indication to this effect.

Mr Siddaramaiah had so far held only one meeting with the Party High Command and that pertained to how both the parties could work together as an effective opposition in the state.

UNI VK RG HS VV1707