The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Janata Dal(S) wants major say on important issues

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Friday, Nov 02, 2007
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Janata Dal(S) wants major say on important issues

Special Correspondent

Deve Gowda puts forth 12 conditions to the Bharatiya Janata Party

H.D. Deve Gowda

Bangalore: The Janata Dal (Secular) has sought an all-important position for the former Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy, in the conditions that the party has drafted and circulated to the BJP leaders prior to finalising an understanding with that party.

Mr. Kumaraswamy will be the chairman of the coordination committee of the two parties and will also have a say in the formation of the Ministry and the allocation of portfolios.

The former Prime Minister and president of the Janata Dal (S) H.D. Deve Gowda who has personally drafted the conditions, told The Hindu that “given the nature of the understanding which the JD (S) had with the BJP during the 20-month rule by Mr. Kumaraswamy, I have thought it fit to have a written understanding at the present juncture. Let everything be transparent so that there will be no complaints in the future that one party has failed to comply with the understanding”.

Following are the 12 conditions set forth by the Janata Dal (S):

The post of Chief Minister shall be given to B.S. Yeddyurappa; the post of Deputy Chief Minister shall be reserved for a JD (S) nominee; the portfolios and the list of Ministers shall be finalised in consultation with the JD (S) (the number of Cabinet positions and that of Ministers of State that each party would enjoy shall be finalised later.); the government shall provide protection to the minorities, Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes.

The Government shall put a stiff fight against corruption and nepotism; Ministers and legislators of both parties shall not level allegations in the open.

In the event of any Minister or legislator having a grievance, it shall be routed through their respective party head for redressal; the coordination committee shall be presided over by H.D. Kumaraswamy.

The strength of the coordination committee shall be finalised by the heads of both parties; presidents and other leaders of both parties shall refrain from airing allegations; important administrative postings and appointments shall be made in consultation with the JD (S); the same rule shall be followed in the appointment of Advocate-General and other law officers; all decisions of the Cabinet with regard to ongoing development projects shall not be altered. (This is directly linked to the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway project which the Kumaraswamy Government sought to take over); the State Cabinet shall recommend dissolution of the Assembly along with elections to the Lok Sabha; and in the event of any significant departure from the understanding (and that which cannot be resolved) both parties will have the liberty to withdraw support.

The JD (S) has also said that the agreement should be signed by four leaders — two of the BJP and two of the JD (S).

They were Mr. Deve Gowda and Mr. Kumaraswamy on behalf of the JD (S) and Yashwant Sinha and Mr. Yeddyurappa on behalf of the BJP.

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