KPCC President rules out alliance with JD(S)

Belgaum, Aug 9 (UNI) Ruling out the possibility of the Congress joining hands with the Janata Dal (Secular) again to form a government Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Mallikarjuna Kharge said the party High Command's decision would be final on the issue.

Talking to newspersons after participating in the 'Kranti Day' organised by the State Seva Dal here, Mr Kharge said there was no proposal before the State unit to forge an alliance with the JD(S) and form the government.

However, Mr Kharge maintained that the any decision towards forming government with JD(S) would be taken by the High Command and it would be binding on all.

''The JD(S) has cheated the Congress last time. Personally I believe that it was not good for the party to form government with JD(S) again'', Mr Kharge added.

Charging that the JD(S)-BJP coalition government had failed in providing good governance and indulged in internal bickering, he said ''the coalition government would collapse due to infighting''.

Criticising the JD(S)-BJP government as 'anti-farmers', Mr Kharge alleged that state government was spending only 17 per cent of the total budget for farmers, while the Congress had spent over 31 per cent when in power.

Many of the successful programmes, including mid-day meal, ''Sthree Shakti''and waiver of electricity bills for farmers were announced by the Congress and exhorted the partymen to create awareness about this among the common man.

He urged the partymen to work together and defeat the communal forces in the forthcoming urban local bodies elections.

UNI