Gowda, Kumaraswamy unperturbed by Prakash's move

Bangalore, Dec 13 (UNI) JD(S) President H D Deve Gowda and former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today played down the resignation of a section of former party Legislators, led by senior leader M P Prakash, stating that the move would have no impact on the party.

An unperturbed Mr Kumaraswamy, who made attempts to avert the split, told newspersons here that ''alternative arrangements are being made to appoint heads for the party in places where some of our leaders have resigned.'' Mr Gowda said no one could wipe out his party in the State. The party was committed to work for the welfare of people, particularly minorities, and it would teach a fitting lesson to communal forces.

Mr Prakash, who hailed from the dominant Lingayat community, had yesterday announced the decision to quit JD(S) along with 12 former Legislators and their supporters, expressing resentment over the ''dictatorial'' manner in which the party was being run by Mr Gowda and his son Mr Kumaraswamy.

Mr Kumaraswamy said he would chalk out a programme to tour the State from December 16 to strengthen the party, apparently to arrest the damage caused by the split.

Wishing gook luck to Mr Prakash in his future endeavours, he said he was grateful to him for helping him when he was Chief Minister.

Majority of the leaders, who walked out of the JD(S), represent the North Karnataka region and old Mysore areas.

Former Legislators like B C Patil, Amaregowda Byyapura, M Y Patil and Suryanarayana Reddy have a sizeable clout in the North Karnataka districts, and Mr H S Mahadeva Prasad holds a key in old Mysore areas.

Former Minister G T Deve Gowda, hailing from Mysore, was joining the BJP today, dealing yet another blow to the JD(S).

UNI