BJP criticises opposition to Power transfer

Bangalore, Sep 4 (UNI) State Bharatiya Janata party president D V Sadananda Gouda today expressed anguish over the issue of 'Transfer of power to BJP' being reduced to a matter of 'Tax-free entertainment to the people' in the state.

Addressing newspersons here today he said that the party, which had shared power with Janata Dal(S) in Karnataka was watching the developments in which different kind of statements were being made on the issue of 'Transfer of power' to BJP in the state.

Accusing that opposition parties and other vested interests were portraying BJP as the communal party, he said the party had taken a decision not to get provoked by unwarranted statements that were being issued and remain silent as a responsible national party.

He said silence did not mean that BJP chose to remain silent because it was 'power hungry'.

Mr Gouda expressed regrets that despite several plea Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, was not responding to convene coordination committee of the coalition government.

Mr Gouda said that there are several contentious issues has to be discussed in the coordination committee including the controversial Chamalapur Thermal Power project, step-motherly attitude by the Union government towards Karnataka and other related issues.

Referring to the coming local bodies elections dates of which were announced today by the state election commission, Mr Gouda said that the party was well prepared to face it.

He expressed confidence that party would get 50 per cent of seats in the local bodies election as the performance of the BJP in the coalition government should brighten the party's prospects in the election.

Refuting the charges made by State JD(S) President Merajuddin Patel that his party was trying to hijack the achievements of the coalition government, Mr Gouda said that the people of the state were aware about the struggles of BJP in the past on various issues which were addressed during the last 19 months in power in the state.

He said the party had put up a struggle demanding the ban on on-line lotteries, waiver of farm loans and ban on sale of arrack which were realized during the 19-months rule in the state.

UNI