Power transfer only if BJP extends support to KDF: Gowda

Bangalore, June 10 (UNI) ''Smooth transfer of power to coalition partner the Bharatiya Janata Party in October depends on how it (BJP) cooperates in pursuing the agenda of the Karnataka Development Front (KDF) in the next four months, Janata Dal (Secular) National President and Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said today.

Addressing newspersons here, he said, ''there was no need for any confusion over transfer of power as long as the BJP sticks to its committment to the principles of the KDF. There shall be no doubt in smooth transfer of power if BJP extends its full cooperation during the remaining four and half month's tenure of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy'', he added.

On the controversial statement of JD(S) Minister Iqbal Ansari opposing transfer of power to the BJP, Mr Gowda said the minister concerned had written to him and had clarified that he would abide by the decision of the party and also to desist from making such statements. Mr Gowda also released the copies of the letter written by Mr Ansari to him.

On the issue of providing internal reservation to Other Backward Communities, Mr Gowda said Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had positively responded to his demand on providing internal reservation to OBC's.

Replying to a question, he said minorities had not deserted his party following formation of government with BJP. In the recent byelections to over 337 Panchayat seats including Taluk and Zilla Panchayats, the party had bagged maximum number of over 138 seats as compared to Congress party's 116 and BJP's 34. ''It shows that party's base has widened following several pro-people programmes implemented by the coalition government'', he added.

On reported statement of Mr Kumaraswamy on his willingness to step down on farmers suicide issue, Mr Gowda said there was no necessity for the Chief Minister to resign. In Vidarba, despite a special package announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 1400 farmers committed suicide and nobody resigned he said adding resignation would not help in containing suicide.

UNI