MLC charge: No rift between JD (S)-BJP: Minister

Bangalore, July 9 (UNI) BJP Karnataka leader and Large and Medium Industries Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu today said there was no rift between the ruling coalition partners--JD (S) and BJP-over the recent allegation made by his party MLC Janardhan Reddy against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Speaking to newspersons after attending the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Electrical Merchants Association here, he said ''BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy's statement against Mr Kumaraswamy will not affect the stability of the 'Karnataka Abhivridhi Ranga' formed by the JD(S)-BJP combine in the state.'' The JD(S)-BJP government would last its full term, he asserted and added that differences of opinion between the two parties, if any, would be blown over at the Coordination Committee meeting to be held tomorrow.

Stating that Mr Reddy had never made any direct accusation against Mr Kumaraswamy, he said ''The media had misinterpreted his statement.'' Mr Reddy had alleged that Mr Kumaraswamy had taken a bribe of Rs 150 crore from mine operators in Bellary district.

To a question, he denied that former Prime Minister and JD (S) President H D Deve Gowda had accused some BJP ministers of having received 'considerations' from the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Limited, promoters of the controversial Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project.

UNI MV RG HVB1605