K'taka Govt to collapse soon, says Patil

Bellary, Aug 26 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council H K Patil today predicted that the JD (S)-BJP coalition government in the state would collapse soon.

Speaking to reporters after addressing party workers here, he said the coalition government had no moral right to continue in power as the Chief Minister himself was facing bribery and corruption charges. ''Our campaign against the coalition government will continue till Mr Kumaraswamy steps down.'' Mr Patil said suspended BJP legislator G Janardhana Reddy had released enough evidences like CDs, audio tapes and documents to prove his charge that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Forests Minister C Chennigappa had received a bribe of Rs 150 crore from the mining lobby in the district.

The alleged financial irregularities by Mr Kumaraswamy and his family members was a fit case to be handed over to the CBI, he added.

He clarified that the objective of the party convention to be held on September three was not aimed at destabilising the government as claimed by Mr Kumaraswamy.

Denying that the party had imposed certain conditions on former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before he joined the Congress, he said any one accepting the leadership of Ms Sonia Gandhi abd secular principles of the party was welcome to join it.

Referring to the allegation that the Centre was showing step-motherly treatment towards Karnataka in releasing funds for flood relief works, he claimed that when Mr Kumaraswamy had led an all-party delegation to New Delhi to meet Union Home Minister B Shivaraj Patil, the latter had responded cordially and asked him to submit a second requirement. Despite Mr Kumaraswamy not submitting the second requirement, the Minister had ordered release of funds to the state, he claimed.

On the recent scuffle between two RJD and JD (U) MPs in Parliament, Mr Patil said ''it is most unfortunate that such incidents are taking place in the most prestigious and respeted House. It is also happening in state assemblies. One should feel ashamed about it. Such incidents cannot be stopped unless parties follow discipline.'' UNI XR RG HVB1840