The Hindu : Karnataka News : President’s Rule should continue, says Prakash

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Monday, Nov 05, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

President’s Rule should continue, says Prakash

Staff Correspondent

He favours it because of the uncertain political situation

I have not rebelled against party leadership: Prakash
He sees nothing wrong in talking
to Siddaramaiah

M.P. Prakash

HAMPI: M.P. Prakash, Janata Dal (S) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, has preferred continuation of President’s Rule in the State in view of the confused political situation.

Responding to questions at a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Prakash said development had been severely affected in the State, and to prevent the situation from worsening President’s Rule should continue.

“I don’t feel let down. But I am saddened,” he said, while reacting to the political developments in the State over the formation of a new government.

Lack of understanding and no proper interaction among leaders, and the absence of internal democracy had led to the present situation in the party, Mr. Prakash said.

“Earlier, when the party had to take important decisions there used to discussions. And when there was no such scope, I had to come out in the open against the decision of the party to join hands with the BJP to form a government once again,” he said.

Mr. Prakash, while claiming that he had done no wrong, said he had only followed the instructions of the party leadership on an alternative arrangement after the collapse of the Janata Dal (S)-BJP government.

Asked if there attempts by H.D. Deve Gowda, party president, to sideline him, Mr. Prakash said it was not possible to do that to anyone in a democratic set-up as long as that person enjoyed the support of the people.

Mr. Prakash said the political developments had affected the development of the State and blamed leaders of all political parties for allowing the situation, which was avoidable, to come to such a pass.

Mr. Prakash said he had not rebelled against the party leadership, and described his stand against the Janata Dal (S) backing the BJP to form a government as “difference of opinion.”

To a question, he said that if talking to Congress leader Siddaramaiah for about 10 minutes that too near the reception of a hotel was misunderstood, then what conclusion one could draw over Mr. Deve Gowda talking to leaders of various political parties, he asked.

Mr. Prakash maintained that he was still in the Janata Dal (S) and would strive hard to strengthen it.

“I am keen to ensure that internal democracy is restored in the party and there is scope for party workers to air views to ensure its growth,” he said.

Reiterating his stand that he would retire from electoral politics and would not like to be part of the government in the future, Mr. Prakash said he had taken the stand to clear the decks for his son to enter politics and contest future elections.

Mr. Prakash was here to participate in a seminar on Vijayanagar history, organised by the Department of Archaeology and Museum, and also in the ongoing Hampi Utsav, a three-day cultural festival.

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