The Hindu : Karnataka News : Moily warns of midterm polls

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 23, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Moily warns of midterm polls

Staff Correspondent

`If Mr. Deve Gowda cannot accept coalition politics, let us go to people and seek a fresh mandate" Suggests setting up of coordination panel to improve Congress-JD(S) ties

BELGAUM: The Janata Dal (S) President, H.D. Deve Gowda, must change his attitude and understand the principles of coalition politics instead of trying to endanger the coalition in the State, the former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily said here on Friday.

Addressing presspersons, he said that if Mr. Deve Gowda cannot accept the principles of coalition politics, "let us have fresh elections, and the strengths of both Congress and Janata Dal (S) will be proved in the people's court." However, he suggested the setting up of a coordination committee to address issues collectively.

`Politically motivated'

Mr. Moily said the campaigning against land grabbing launched by Mr. Deve Gowda is "politically motivated." The Janata Dal (S) has failed to win seats in Bangalore Urban and it is trying to catch the attention of the people to improve its position in the district, he added.

Land grabbing is going on not only in Bangalore but elsewhere in the State and many politicians are involved, he said. However, there are more important issues before the Government. For instance, the human development index in the State is among the lowest, he added.

Mr. Moily asked all Janata Dal (S) Ministers to resign before participating in the proposed rally being planned by Mr. Deve Gowda. The major portfolios, including Revenue, are with the Janata Dal (S). "Let the Cabinet meet for a week and decide to take possession of all the lands that have been encroached upon," he said.

Mr. Moily said the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, and Mr. Deve Gowda should meet the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, with a proposal to form a coordination committee on the lines of the panel set up by the United Progressive Alliance at the Centre.

He rejected the charge of Opposition parties that Mr. Dharam Singh is a "weak" Chief Minister and it is Mr. Deve Gowda who calls the shots.

On Bangarappa

Reacting to a question about the State unit President of the Samajwadi Party and former Chief Minister and S. Bangarappa, Mr. Moily said he has ceased to be a political force. "He wants to grab power by any means. He has no ideological commitment or concern because of which no leader of repute has joined the Samajwadi Party."

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