National   

BJP deliberates on Karnataka situation

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party vice-president Venkaiah Naidu and Karnataka affairs in-charge Ved Prakash Goyal met party president L.K. Advani here on Friday to discuss the political developments in the State. Several party MPs from Karnataka were present.

The group conveyed to Mr. Advani that the "majority" of party MLAs were "not interested" in fishing in the politically troubled waters in the State.

A senior leader told The Hindu that while there was a section in the party that was "keen to explore" the possibility of joining hands with the Janata Dal (Secular), the large majority was in favour of the party maintaining a separate identity.

Mr. Goyal gave a hint to this effect on Friday. After the meeting with Mr. Advani, he said the majority opinion in the State unit was not in favour of joining hands with the JD(S) although their combine could provide a viable alternative to the present Congress-JD (S) coalition.

"Not for temporary gains"

Party sources said the BJP was carefully watching the developments, which could lead to the fall of the Dharam Singh Government and early elections. In that scenario, the party would prefer to cash-in on the voters' discontent with the present combine.

The task at hand was for the BJP to keep its Karnataka unit united and prepare the ground for the battle of the ballots rather than give in to the temptation of fishing in troubled waters for temporary gains.

However, the "other view" is that if the Congress and the JD(S) fall apart, the BJP should step in to avoid early elections. The legislature party leader, B.S. Yediyurappa, is believed to be of this view.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

African Union pours cold water on India's campaign for U.N. seat
Criminal action against doctors only for gross negligence: apex court
Government relief not reaching flood-hit areas
Leh's medicinal herbs to the aid of troops
Campaign for review of TRIPS to be launched
BJP opposes quota within quota
Political will needed to implement river linking
BJP deliberates on Karnataka situation
Karisma restrained from taking daughter abroad
Supreme Court suspends imprisonment

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu