K'taka: Cong complains about admin breakdown

Bangalore, Oct 5: Opposition Congress today complained to Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur about 'administration breakdown' in the State due to internal squabbling between the Coalition Partners Janata Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party over transfer of power.

Opposition leaders N Dharam Singh and H K Patil in the Legislative Assembly and Council respectively and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Mallikarjun Kharge were closetted with the Governor for more than two hours.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Mr Kharge said that his party appraised the Governor about administration breakdown and also about political crisis following resignation of 17 BJP ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

He said they urged the Governor to direct the Chief Secretary to speed up relief works in flood affected areas.

Replying to a question, Mr Kharge clarified that "Congress did not demand the Governor either to dissolve the Assembly or recommend for imposition of President rule in the State following political crisis.

He termed as hypothetical to a question whether Congress would join JD(S) in forming the government in the event BJP withdrawing its support.

UNI