Secular forces need to be united: Rajasekharan

Bangalore, Oct 12 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and Union Minister of State for Planning M V Rajasekharan today said there is an urgent need for secular forces to come together in Karnataka in the current political scenario.

Talking to newsmen here after calling on Governor Rameshwar Thakur at Rajbhavan here, he said only Congress could take the lead in this regard.

Replying to a question, he said he did not discuss the present political situation in the state with the Governor. ''It was only a courtesy call. I complimented the Governor after he assumed office as administrator following the imposition of President's rule after BJP withdrew support to its coalition partner JD(S)''.

Asked whether he was ready to shoulder the responsibility of becoming Chief Minister in case Congress took the lead to form a government, he said ''I am a common worker in the Congress, whatever decision Party president Sonia Gandhi and Congress Working Committee take would be binding on all workers, whether it is on me or any other person''.

Reports suggested that Mr Rajasekharan would become the next Chief Minister as Congress party was contemplating to forge a tie up with JD(S) to form a government in Karnataka.

UNI