No unity among BJP over CM candidate: Minister

Gulbarga, Aug 28 (UNI) Karnataka Minister for Housing D T Jayakumar today alleged that there is no unity in the State Government coalition partner BJP over who should be the Chief Minister.

Stating that the JD(S) Legislatures wanted Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to continue for another 20 months, Mr Jayakumar told newspersons, ''There are differences in BJP over the candidate for the Chief Minister post, if the power is transferred as per the prior agreement.'' ''However, in politics anything may happen any time,'' he added.

Taking strong exception to BJP taking credit for banning lotteries, sale of arrack and waiver of agriculture loans, Mr Jayakumar said these programmes were taken up by the coalition government as per the Common Minimum Programme adopted at the time of forming the Government.

When asked whether the JD(S) would consider joining hands with the Congress to form government in the State, Mr Jayakumar opined, ''All options are open. The JD(S) is ready to form government with the Congress party, its ready to handover power to the BJP and its even ready to face mid-term poll.'' UNI DP MSP RJ BST2152