Delay likely in Karnataka Govt

MANDATE 2004

Chaturvedi continued his exercise of seeking views from parties on the prospect of government formation by inviting Janata Dal (United), an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, for talks today.

State unit JD (U) President B Somashekhar told reporters that the governor expressed "concern over delay in the formation of the state government."

He said his party had suggested to Chaturvedi that he extend an invitation to the BJP, which was the single largest party in Karnataka with 79 seats, but could not elaborate on how the party would makeup for its shortfall of 29 legislators to get 113.

Even a week after the announcement of results and three days since the issue of notification constituting the 12th Assembly, consensus among the Congress and the JD (S) eludes on ministry making. Wielding the post of the chief minister post remains a bone of contention.

Both the BJP and the JDU have a total tally of 84, with the latter having five seats in the 224-member house.

In a significant development, former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief HD Devegowda left for the capital to renew dialogues with Congress President Sonia Gandhi on formation of a coalition government in Karnataka.

Sources close to Devegowda said the former Prime Minister was firm on holding consultations with the Congress president and not with other leaders and that too if he was invited.

Since the Congress is busy with the installation of a coalition government at the Centre, talks with JD(S) might be delayed by few more days.

Chaturvedi held consultations yesterday with a delegation of JD(S) led by its legislature party leader Siddaramaiah. Siddaramaiah assured the governor of forming a government with the support of the Congress in about two or three days, but refrained from staking claim. The Congress and the BJP are expected to call on the Chaturvedi separately tomorrow.

As the deadlock continued, senior JD(S) leader MP Prakash urged Congress not to insist on the Maharashtra or the Jammu and Kashmir model and adopt a "new pattern" for the state.

He said since the people of the state have rejected the Congress, that party should support jds demand for chief minister's post.

Considered as one of the JDS thinktanks, prakash struck a word of caution saying "it is inevitable now to form a government so as not to impose another election on people. In this background both parties should sacrifice and climb down from their demands".

While JDS has already projected siddaramaiah as its chief ministerial candidate, pwd minister n dharam singh seemed to be a front runner in congress with home minister M Mallikarjun Kharge and H K Patil also trying their luck.