Kumaraswamy blames BJP for delay in power transfer

Bangalore, Oct 2 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today blamed coalition partner BJP for the delay in transfer of the Chief Minister's post as ''it was not ready to 'sit and talk' with him to thrash out modalities.'' ''I am ready to hand over Chief Minister's post to BJP tomorrow itself. But when they (BJP) are not ready to discuss the issue and are depending only on the media to put across its messages, how can I say how long it will take for the transfer of power to take place?'' he asked.

In an interview to a private Kannada TV Channel, Mr Kumaraswamy said he did not want a 'Constitutional void' to be created in Karnataka by handing over his resignation to the Governor even before the party (JD-S) prepared itself for the shift.

''I am committed to leave the Chief Minister's post and hand it over to our coalition partner. But we need time to work out the modalities and there is a need for a detailed discussion to take place,'' he said.

The Chief Minister claimed he was not to be blamed for the delay as BJP had not bothered to speak to him about the power transfer.

''None of the top leaders have come to me to for a meaningful discussion. Excepting (BJP emissary) Yashwant Sinha speaking to Mr Deve Gowda three days ago, there has been no interaction on the eve of power transfer.

''There is need for such an interaction for the successful continuation of the coalition government,'' he opined.

UNI