The Hindu : Karnataka News : We’re with the Government, say independent MLAs

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Friday, Jun 27, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

We’re with the Government, say independent MLAs

Special Correspondent

No rift on the issue of support and they have not formed any group

Independents say Government will
last its term
‘We have no plans to join the BJP’

BANGALORE: All six independent members of the Legislative Assembly, including five Ministers, on Thursday reiterated their unconditional support to the BJP Government, headed by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, and said nobody should doubt their commitment.

Speaking at a joint press conference, for the first time after the formation of the BJP Government, Ministers Venkataramanappa, P.M. Narendraswamy, D. Sudhakar, Gulihatti D. Shekhar and Shivaraj S. Thangadagi and MLA Varthur Prakash said they were no differences among them on extending support to the Government. They backed the Government to avoid political instability and there was no doubt about the Government completing its term. But they had no plans to join the BJP, the Ministers and the MLA said.

In the 224-member Lower House, the BJP has a strength of 110, the Congress 80, Janata Dal (S) 28 and independents account for six.

They held the press conference to clarify doubts that arose following a remark by Minister for Small Scale Industries and Sericulture Venkataramanappa in the Legislative Council on Tuesday that “he is a BJP Minister.”

The Opposition in the House argued that Mr. Venkataramanappa was misleading the House and thereby violated the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. To dispel the doubt, Mr. Venkataramanappa said: “I will remain an independent and will not join the BJP. I am a Minister in the BJP Government. My statement in the Council was wrongly interpreted.”

Mr. Narendraswamy (Women and Child Development) said he would discharge the responsibilities given by the Chief Minister. The six independents had not formed any okkoota (federation) and they had no such plans in the future as well.

“In the interests of the people, we decided to support the Government to avoid political crisis,” he said.

Asked about the Cabinet berth for Mr. Prakash, Mr. Narendraswamy said the Chief Minister had assured him of ministership in the future. Mr. Prakash said he had supported the Government in the larger interests of the State.

“We have not received money from the BJP for supporting the Yeddyurappa Government.”

All independents expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the Yeddyurappa Government.

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