Karnataka crisis did not figure in cabinet meet: Dasmunsi

New Delhi, Nov 2 (UNI) The political situation in Karnataka did not come up for deliberations at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told mediapersons after the meeting that the situation in Karnataka was a matter that had to be discussed by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA).

''We will tell you as soon as the CCPA discusses the issue,'' he said.

The CCPA had met here yesterday, but Finance Minister P Chidambaram told newspersons after the meeting that the Karnataka situation was not discussed.

The Cabinet had been expected to discuss the political developments in Karnataka, where the Janata Dal(Secular) had initially refused to honour the power-sharing agreement with the BJP at the end of its 20-month tenure with H D Kumaraswamy as the Chief Minister.

After no party was in a position to form a government for the remaining 20 months, the Centre imposed President's rule in the state, but kept the assembly under suspended animation.

The JD(S) subsequently agreed to support a BJP-led government in a bid to avoid a split in its legislature party in the wake of attempts by a section of partymen led by former Deputy Chief Minister M P Prakash to strike a deal with the Congress.

What has been keenly awaited is the state Governor's response to the BJP's claim to forming the government.

BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa had claimed that he had the support of 129 MLAs in a house of 225, though the backing of 113 MLA is sufficient to form a government.

UNI