JUBILATION: BJP President Rajnath Singh (right) and party leader M. Venkaiah Naidu (left) with Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa (second from left) in Bangalore on Friday. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE: President of the Bharatiya Janata Party Rajnath Singh said on Friday that the Congress "harassed" its erstwhile coalition partner, the Janata Dal (Secular), and lost its confidence in the State.

Addressing presspersons after the swearing-in of H.D. Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister and B.S. Yediyurappa as Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh said the coming to power of the coalition of the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) in the State is a setback for the Congress. People's faith

He said the Congress lost the confidence of the people long ago. The Janata Dal (S) lost faith in that party and withdrew from the coalition. This helped the BJP come to power in southern India for the first time and it will increase its influence in the region, he added.

Mr. Rajnath Singh, who along with BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu attended the swearing-in ceremony, said he is happy that the BJP has got an opportunity to serve the people of the State.

No berth for Shettar

He ruled out a change in the leadership of the State unit and said Jagadish Shettar will remain President. He said Mr. Shettar will not be inducted into the H.D. Kumaraswmay Cabinet.

Asked about the new Deputy Chief Minister, B.S. Yediyurappa's statement a few days ago that the new coalition will help the BJP to strengthen the Hindutva forces, Mr. Rajnath Singh said it will help the party to improve its position in the State.

He said the BJP will not discriminate against any section and claimed it is the most secular party in the country. He alleged that the Congress has cheated members of minority communities by treating them as vote banks.

He said the State units of the BJP and the Janata Dal (S) will have a coordination committee to oversee the implementation of the common minimum programme, which will be evolved after a meeting of local party leaders.

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