JD(S)LP expresses solidarity with Kumaraswamy

Bangalore, Dec 8 (UNI) The Janata Dal (Secular) Legislature Party meeting, which was held here today to take stock of the party candidate's defeat at the Chamundeshwari Assembly byelection, expressed solidarity with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and rejected the Congress demand for his resignation.

Party State President and State Home Minister M P Prakash told newspersons that the JD(S)LP meeting expressed satisfaction over the performance in the bypoll. He advised the Congress leaders to demand the resignation of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y Rajashekhar Reddy where the party candidates suffered heavily in the bypolls.

He said the Legislators took exception to former Minister P G R Sindhia, MLA, campaigning for Congress candidate Siddaramaiah in the byelection and sought disciplinary action against him. Accordingly, he would write a letter to party President H D Deve Gowda to take action against Mr Sindhia for involving in 'anti-party activities'.

Barring two Legislators and a Minister, who were absent on health grounds, all the members attended the meet.

Mr Prakash said the 39 Legislators, suspended for joining hands with the BJP to form an alternate Government by toppling the Congress-JD(S) coalition Government in February last, appealed to revoke the suspension and it was approved by the JD(S)LP. He would also write in this regard to the party President.

On the byelection set back, he claimed that the JD(S) candidate was defeated by a disinformation campaign undertaken by the Congress using Election Commission officials. The JD(S) suferred a 'technical defeat' and the Congress had no reason to celebrate it.

Reacting sharply to Mr Siddaramaiah's statement that the JD(S) was likely to split, and fall of the Government was imminent, Mr Prakash said ''the Congress has a history of toppling non-Congress State Governments.'' Expressing concern over the blatant use of money, caste and muscle power in the bypoll, he said he had decided to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue and try to evolve a self-disciplinary code to put an end to it.

Mr Prakash informed that some Legislators raised the issue of appointment of Chairmen to various boards and corporations and the Chief Minister had assured to take initiative on the matter.

He said it was also decided to convene a ten-day session of both the Houses of the Karnataka Legislature as per the commitment to have at least 60 days of session in a year. The Cabinet would take a decision on the issue shortly.

UNI MV GD MSJ VV1844