BJP welcomes Cabinet decision on K'taka; ready to form govt

New Delhi, Nov 8 (UNI) Welcoming the Union Cabinet's decision to recommend revocation of President's Rule in Karnataka and the revival of the assembly, the BJP today expressed the hope that Governor Rameshwar Thakur would invite Mr B S Yediyurappa to form a BJP-led coalition government in the state.

BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad, however, regretted that the Centre had not covered itself with ''glory or grace'' in handling the Karnataka issue. ''It has taken 13 long days to do what could have been achieved in three hours,'' he said.

He said the BJP would provide the people of Karnataka a stable government in the remaining 19 months with the support of the JD(S). The first-ever BJP-led coalition government in a southern state will certainly prove to be a morale booster for the party and have a radiating effect on Karnataka's neighbouring states, Mr Prasad added.

On the 12 conditions imposed by JD(S) Chief H D Deve Gowda, he reminded that the MLAs of the coalition partner had individually presented their affidavists lending ''unconditional support'' to the government led by Mr Yediyurappa.

''As far as the BJP is concerned there is already a public agreement in place between the two parties. Now that the road blocks for the formation of the government have been removed, we will sort out the issues, if any, with the JD(S).'' He denied speculation that the BJP had received a ''Karnataka gift'' on the eve of Deepavali in return for facilitating a discussion in Parliament under a clause that did not entail a voting. ''The BJP has given a notice under Rule 184 and wants to expose the hollowness of the Left parties which are willing to criticise the governmental action but not ready to vote against the UPA.'' Mr Prasad, a Law Minister in the previous NDA government, said the Supreme Court had laid down rules for the dismissal of an incumbent government and in the case of Bihar Assembly, the Court had passed strictures against the Governor and the Centre.

''If the Karnataka matter had reached the apex court, it would have gone a step beyond,'' he claimed.

UNI