K'taka CM denies dissidence in party

Bangalore, Aug 17 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today denied there was dissidence in Janata Dal (Secular) and warned those indulging in 'malicious campaign' to destabilise the JD (S)-BJP coalition government in the state.

Mr Kumaraswamy's statement comes in the wake of reports in a section of the media that some disgruntled legislators were against his leadership and contemplating raising revolt against him.

Speaking to newspersons after participating in a meeting of his party legislators at his home office here, he said those who were busy spreading such 'canards' about dissident activities would never succeed in their attempts to destabilise the government.

Taking exception to the media reports, he regretted that the media too had become an 'obstacle' in his mission to provide development to the people of the state and urged media representatives to verify facts before publishing such news. ''We are united. I know who gave such baseless reports to the media,'' he said.

Denying his family members were interfering in administration, he said if it were to be true then he 'is unfit to rule' the state.

''Please quote any instance wherein my brothers have influenced me in taking decisions,'' he added.

Asked whether he would share power in the form of appointments, he said his party legislators were not after power when they collected together to make him the leader and their only objective then was to retain the party in power. Even today, their mind was the same and they were not after power, he added.

State Party Chief and Home Minister M P Prakash, who was also present, said all the legislators expressed their solidarity with Mr Kumaraswamy. None of the legislators had expressed displeasure over his leadership and they also authorised him to initiate action against those spreading such 'canards', he said.

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