JD(S) to support BJP if convinced of victory

New Delhi, Nov 11: In an attempt to make peace with the BJP, his coalition partner in Karnataka, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has said that his JD (S) would support them in Chamundeshwari byelections without making it a ''prestigious issue'' if that party were to convince him they could win the seat.

Mr Kumaraswamy said he had discussed the issue of coming byelections in Chamundeshwari with state BJP President Sadananda Gowda where former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is contesting on a Congress ticket after parting ways with the Janata Dal (Secular) party. "We are not going to make it a prestigious issue. If they convince us, we are ready to cooperate.

But in all previous elections, it is Janata Dal (S) or Congress which has won the seat", the Chief Minister said in his first interview with 'Organiser', the RSS mouthpiece where he discussed range of issues.

The Chief Minister's clarification comes in the wake of reports that the state BJP leaders expressing their intention to put up its candidate in Chamundeshwari bypolls on the ground that they stood second in the General Assembly.

Mr KumaraSwamy who has entered into alliance with the BJP in the wake of the JD S collapsing after 18 months in office asserted the government would last its full term and ruled out any problem (in transfer of power) from his side.

On his experience with the BJP in running the government since February the Chief Minister conceded there were 'small problems' but overall, the cooperation between the two parties was smooth. His party's earlier experience with Congress was 'horrible' as they tried to destroy and sabotage the JD (S) coalition.

As far as the BJP's principles and ideologies were concerned, he did not interfere with them as it would not have bearing on the functioning of the coalition. "We are concentrating only on development of the state with common minumum action plan. It is our manfesto and guide", he said.

Mr Kumaraswamy avoided a direct answer to a question about the possibility that JD (S) would fight the next general election with the BJP and his party joining the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre when he said any such decisioin would be taken by party's 'senior leaders',the national President and his father H D Deve Gowda.

To a question if his father had reconciled to coalition with BJP, Mr Swamy said he was totally opposed to a coalition. However after a few months after seeing the way the government translated his ideas and views on development into action, 'our relations have improved', he said.

About corruption allegations levelled against his family members in the Bellary mines case, the Chief Minister contended it was all 'planted stories'. "After I assumed office, the government has not allotted an inch of land for mining business and have only tried to improve revenue collection. Some people want to defame me and all the charges were made without prima facie evidence", he said.

Asked if his son Nikhil Gowda's episode embarassed him, he said itwas part of a 'political conspiracy'. "There is an invisible hand behind it. The Opposition does not have any issue and hence it is targetting me and my family", he said.

On the issue of proposal to rename Bangalore, he said it was the Wish of some people and it was only a different pronounciation. But mere change of name will not solve the problems faced by the city.

"We must concentrate on solving the problems".

About the priorities of his coalition, he said his priority was to provide shelter to the familes and ensure the each of the families earn a minimum of 4,000 to 5000 a month. "I want to introduce new economic policies in the next budget. Work on the Bangalore Metro and Bangalore Mysore Express way and the International airport were all under way", he said.

UNI