GULBARGA: Minister for Primary and Secondary Education R. Ramalinga Reddy said on Thursday the political turmoil and uncertainty in the State is the making of Janata Dal (Secular) President H.D. Deve Gowda.

Addressing presspersons after hoisting the national flag during the Republic Day celebrations here, he said the "rebellion" by the Janata Dal (S) MLAs and their decision to withdraw support to the coalition government headed by N. Dharam Singh had the blessings of Mr. Deve Gowda.

Mr. Ramalinga Reddy, who is Minister in charge of Gulbarga district, termed the action of the Janata Dal (S) legislators under the leadership of H.D. Kumaraswamy as a "drama" directed by Mr. Deve Gowda.

On the vote of confidence in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, he said he has no hope of the Janata Dal (S) making a turnaround and continuing its support to the Government. Statements by Janata Dal (S) leaders that attempts to split their party was the reason for Mr. Kumaraswamy withdrawing support to the Government are intended to tarnish the image of the Congress, he added.

The Minister said that the Congress has not tried to split the Janata Dal (S) and draw MLAs towards it. The Congress would not have benefited from any division in the Janata Dal (S) ranks, he added.

He said the move by the Janata Dal (S) to form a coalition with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party was evident in the past few months and it hastened when the outcome of the zilla and taluk panchayat elections were known.

Mr. Ramalinga Reddy said the performance of the Congress in the panchayat elections worried Janata Dal (S) and BJP leaders, who feared that the Congress may opt for midterm elections to the Legislative Assembly.

To a question, he said he will not be surprised if the Janata Dal (S) continues its alliance with the BJP in the next elections. The Minister said that in his view, the only solution to the political uncertainty is midterm elections.

On whether the Congress will align with the All-India Progressive Janata Dal headed by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he said this is left to the party high command.

He said the alliance with the BJP will alienate minority communities from the Janata Dal (S) and help the Congress.

Mr. Ramalinga Reddy said a coalition government by the Janata Dal (S) and the BJP will not last long, as the parties have differing policies.

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