Lok Sabha Speaker to allow discussion on CWDT final verdict

Bangalore, Mar 4 (UNI) Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal(Secular) national president H D Deve Gowda today said that Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee has promised to allow discussion on Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal's final verdict.

Talking to newsmen, he said that MPs from Karnataka, irrespective of their party affiliation, would highlight the injustice done to the State during the discussion.

Welcoming peaceful ongoing agitation against the verdict in the State Capital and Cauvery basin Districts, Mr Gowda expressed confidence that the CWDT verdict will not be notified until justice was done to Karnataka.

Replying to question, he reiterated as ''far from truth'' the news appearing in a section of the press that he met Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi recently. '' I last met Ms Gandhi in 2005 and afterward I have never met her'', he clarified.

Mr Gowda also clarified that he never blessed the present JD(S)-BJP coalition government in Karantaka since it was formed without his consent. Denying of having made any statement on the issue of hand over power to BJP after completion of 20-months term of his son H D Kumaraswamy, he said that it would be decided by the coalition partners who have decided to form the government.

Commenting on recent out come of Assembly elections in Punjab, Uttarkhand and Manipur, he said that a sort of an inevitable political polarisation has emerged at national level after the results were out.

Ruling out having alliance with any political party, Mr Gowda said that his party would contest a few seats in Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.

Earlier Mr Gowda admitted several leaders and their followers from BJP and Congress from Chamarajanagar, Bangalore Rural and Urban district into the JD-S.

UNI