Congress to go alone in next elections in K'taka: Kharge

Bangalore, Aug 3 (UNI) KPCC President Mallikarjuna Kharge today said that the Congress party would go alone in the next elections in the state and will not form another coalition government with the help of Janata Dal(S).

Speaking to newspersons at the airport where he had come to see off Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was on a day's visit to the city, he said the party was confident of winning a clear mandate in the eventuality of early elections, as JD(S)-BJP government was counting days due to bickering between the coalition partners.

Reacting to the call by Dr Singh asking the partymen to be prepared for an early election, he said, "We are ready for it. Rank and file of the party is not in favour of having alliance or poll understanding with any political party in Kanartaka. They are also against forming another coalition government with the help of JD(S)." He dismissed as rumours that the high command was contemplating to initiate steps to form a coalition again in the state.

Mr Kharge's reaction assumes significance following the recent meetings between party leaders like Union Minister for Planning M V Rajashekaran and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda.

According to pre-government formation agreement between JD(S) and the BJP, JD(S) will have to transfer Chief Ministership to the BJP on October three. The two governments had agreed to share the top post for 20 months each before the next election was due.

UNI