Cong prefers mid-term poll in Karnataka

Considering the "unhealthy developments" in Karnataka related to the transfer of power from the JD(S) to the BJP, the Congress today said it preferred a mid-term election than joining either of them to form a government.

KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge said in the event of any crisis in the government, the Congress was not keen to form a government by taking the help of either the JD(S) or the BJP.

"It is better to go for an election and get an absolute majority," he told reporters today.

The Congress high command had been briefed about the situation in which the "coalition government appears to be in jeopardy," he said.

The high command would take stock and decide the course of action, he said, adding the KPCC would abide by the decision.

Raising a "question mark" over the survival of the government, he said the coalition partners appeared divided over various issues, going by the contradictory statements by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.

"It appears both are biding time and counting the exact days left for the transfer of power, which does not augur well for the developmental programmes in the state," he said.

Reacting to BJP state chief DV Sadananda Gowda's statement that the Congress leaders had asked former chief minister Dharam Singh to retire from politics, he said no such demand had been made.

Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP chief DV Sadananda Gowda said his party was confident the JD(S) would transfer power as promised and would refrain from taking any steps till October 3, the date of the transfer of power.

"According to the agreement between both parties, we are sure that HD Kumaraswamy will hand over charge. The JD(S) supremo and his family have always believed in God. Hence Kumaraswamy will do as promised," he said.