Dy CM candidate ofJD(S) remains elusive
Bangalore,
Nov
11:
Talks
over
selecting
a
Deputy
Chief
Ministerial
candidate
by
the
JD(S)
remained
inclusive
with
the
party
top
brass,
including
party
supremo
H
D
Deve
Gowda,
failing
to
arrive
as
a
consensus
here
tonight.
The meeting, attended by senior leader M P Prakash, State unit Chief Merajuddin Patel, former Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy and D Manjunath, could not thrash out the 'differences' and postponed the selection date beyond November 15, when the Chief Minister-designate B S Yeddyurappa was expected to seek vote of confidence.
Addressing media after the meeting, Mr Prakash said the party had decided that all the 18 JD(S) ministers, including the Deptuy Chief Minister, would take oath after November 15.
Mr Kumaraswamy, who was favoured by most of the Legislators was strongly tipped to assume charge as Deputy Chief Minister, but reports said there was rift within the Gowda family with his elder brother H D Revanna, too trying to pocket the post.
However, Mr Kumaraswamy had earlier denied media reports to this respect.
''All the senior party leaders and Legislators would attend tomorrow's swearing-in ceremony but, we would name our Ministers only after November 15,'' he said.
Disturbed over the latest move by the coalition partner, the BJP leaders rushed to Mr Gowda's residence to convince him to name the Deputy Chief Minister and let him take oath along with Mr Yeddyurappa. However, this did not yield any results.
Earlier, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said the decision was left to the party (JD-S).
Meanwhile, Mr Yeddyurappa and BJP State president D V Sadananda Gowda went to Mr Deve Gowda's residence and extended invitation for attending the swearing-in ceremony.
UNI