The Hindu : Front Page : Kumaraswamy apprehensive about BJP rule

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Saturday, Sep 22, 2007
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Kumaraswamy apprehensive about BJP rule

Staff Correspondent

No pressure on police to go easy on probe into violent incidents: Gowda

Will hand over power but with a condition: CM
“No compromise with communal forces”

DAVANGERE: Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has expressed concern over Tuesday’s violent incidents in Bangalore. Two persons were charred to death when a mob set a Tamil Nadu State Express Transport Corporation bus on fire. The house of the daughter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was also stoned.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Friday, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that according to police reports it was established that Sangh Parivar activists were involved in the two incidents. He said Ramar Sethu was not an issue concerning the people of Karnataka and the statement made by a politician of another State should not be opposed in such a manner.

He said the two incidents made him think twice about passing on the mantle to the Bharatiya Janata Party. However, he would stick to his commitment and hand over the reins on condition that such incidents should not recur.

Mr. Kumaraswamy expressed apprehension over how the BJP would run the government after October 3. He said the Janata Dal (Secular) had struck an alliance with the BJP under certain circumstances to form the government. This did not mean that it would encourage communal fanaticism.

He said the government had taken serious note of the violence and would initiate action against the guilty irrespective of their party affiliation.

Speaking to The Hindu in Bangalore, the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, denied there was any pressure on the police to go easy on the investigation into the two incidents. “The police have arrested the culprits. They have indicated that they are members of Hindu extremist organisations and not specifically from the RSS or VHP.” He said the government would not compromise on its principles against communalism to “save the gaddi of the Chief Minister.”

On the transfer of power to the BJP, the former Prime Minister reiterated that the issue would be resolved between the national-level leaders of both parties. “This time I am alive to the issues.”

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