H.D. Deve Gowda

NEW DELHI: The differences between the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka deepened on Monday, with the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, announcing that his party's national executive would decide on February 8 whether to continue in or withdraw from the coalition government in the State.

Mr. Gowda told reporters here that the coalition came under "severe stress" after the Congress decided to explore the possibility of aligning with "JD (S) rebels" led by the former Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, in zilla panchayats following the recent elections.

"The JD (S) joined with the Congress to form the government after the last Assembly elections to check the growth of communal forces in the State. We came to some understanding. Now, the Congress has decided to deviate from it. We will assess the situation at various levels and take a decision at the national executive meeting. I will meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi after the meeting and convey the party's decision."

Mr. Gowda said he had remained silent though he was "attacked and humiliated" by some Congress leaders for over a year. He was reacting now because the Congress was attempting to align with the very persons against whom the JD (S) had taken action for trying to break the party.

Mr. Gowda stressed that neither any Congress leader in the party headquarters here, including Ms. Gandhi, nor Chief Minister Dharam Singh was to blame. He, however, declined to name those who he thought were responsible.

The JD (S) president denied any move to tie up with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Describing his meeting with the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on Sunday night as a "courtesy call," Mr. Gowda said he rejected the BJP's offer of support when he was on the verge of losing his post as Prime Minister.

Reacting to Mr. Gowda's remarks,Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan said the issue would be sorted out. "In a coalition arrangement, problems can crop up. They will be sorted out. The government in Karnataka is stable and will complete its term."

Mr. Dharam Singh, who was here on an official visit, said he would convey Mr. Gowda's views to the Congress high command and request it to resolve the issue.

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