The Hindu : Karnataka News : JD(S) wants conditions met

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Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

JD(S) wants conditions met

S. Rajendran

We are yet to hear from BJP on the draft of understanding: Kumaraswamy

JD(S) has sent across a list of 11 conditions to BJP
Party seeks Urban Development and Mining portfolios

Bangalore: The Janata Dal (Secular), which over the past fortnight has been swinging between extending conditional and unconditional support to the Bharatiya Janata Party, has now stated that it will join the B.S. Yeddyurappa Government only if its conditions are fully met.

Sources in the JD(S) told The Hindu that it was in this light that the party was toying with the idea of extending “outside support” to the Government. It could thus pull out of the alliance whenever it wants. “We have no firm commitment from the BJP on the conditions laid down by the party on power sharing,” the sources said

While the January 2006 understanding was between H.D.Kumaraswamy and Mr. Yeddyurappa, the present understanding, owing to a series of developments over the last 21 months, is now between the two parties”.

Mr. Kumaraswamy, who has reportedly mooted the idea of extending outside support to the BJP-led Government, told The Hindu that he was yet to hear from the BJP on the draft of the understanding that he had given to Mr. Yeddyurappa about a week ago.

“Let us first have a formal written understanding. Then comes the question of joining the Government,” he said.

Reacting to this move, the BJP has stated that it would be happy if the JD(S) joined the Government but would not mind even if outside support was extended.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said the JD(S) had sent a list of 11 conditions to the BJP similar to the ones drafted by JD(S) president H.D. Deve Gowda. The only change pertains to the term of the Government being co-terminus with elections to the Lok Sabha.

“In other words, the JD(S) will extend support for the next 19 months irrespective of the general elections being held earlier.” The draft has also specified that Mr. Kumaraswamy shall be the chairman of the coordination committee of the two parties.

The JD(S) has also sought the portfolios of Urban Development (including Bangalore City Development, which is normally held by the Chief Minister) and Mining in exchange for Excise.

The initial demand for even the Home portfolio has now been given up.

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