The Hindu : Front Page : BJP in no mood to oblige Gowda

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 04, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

BJP in no mood to oblige Gowda

Special Correspondent

JD(S)’s demands are seen as pressure tactics to tie down BJP

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party central leadership on Saturday appeared favourably disposed to the idea of dissolution of the Karnataka Assembly, in the wake of the Janata Dal (Secular) laying down conditions for supporting a BJP-led coalition government.

Party sources here said the BJP was “in no mood” — as of now — to respond to the new conditions set by JD (S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda. The latest provocation was the conspicuous absence of JD(S) MLAs at a dharna programme launched by the BJP in Bangalore to pressure the Governor to invite the coalition to form a government.

The BJP fears that the JD(S) could indulge in further “pressure tactics” once the coalition came to power. So, it believes, the dissolution of the Assembly is an equally good option.

At a meeting, at the residence of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani here, BJP leaders were in favour of the party not replying to the JD(S) letter, laying down a dozen conditions, received in New Delhi on Friday.

The leaders said the matter could have been discussed across the table instead of the JD(S) making it public.

BJP vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu is in Bangalore to hold consultations with State leaders on Mr. Gowda’s fresh conditions.

He is believed to have carried a “message” from the central leadership.

Some of the demands for a major say for Mr. Gowda’s son H.D. Kumaraswamy in decision making and steps for protection of minorities are seen as pressure tactics to tie down the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page