JD(S) divided over govt formation

Janata Dal (S) leader M P Prakash appears to be putting a spoke in the wheel of revival of JD(S)-BJP government in Karnataka. Prakash held a lengthy press conference in Bangalore declaring that the revival of the alliance was against the views of several party MLAs.

"The party kept us in the dark," complained Prakash, who was pushing for an alliance with the Congress along with a section of JD(S) MLAs.

"If JD(S) wanted to form the government with the BJP, nothing prevented it from handing over power to it (when it completed 20 months according to the agreement)," he said.

Prakash has sought a separate appointment with the governor. According to sources, Prakash is likely to submit a letter, supported by six others, opposing the BJP-JD (S) combine. He may also submit a second letter seeking to form government with the support of the Congress.

BJP's chief minister designate B S Yeddyurappa has already staked a claim to form the government. Governor Rameshwar Thakur is apparently of the view that an Assembly session can now be called only with the order of President Pratibha Patil.

Sources indicate that Prakash has the support of at least 16-17 MLAs in the 224-member House. Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy has the support of around 30 MLAs.

The JD(S)-BJP alliance requires the support of 36 JD(S) MLAs to come to fruition. Therefore, government formation is not in peril except for some last-minute problems.

"The main problem is the calling of the Assembly session before Parliament is called into session and the Assembly dissolved," said a source in Bangalore.

Prakash questioned JD(S) legislature party leader H D Kumaraswamy handing over the letter of support, when the meeting of the legislature party did not take place at all. None of the MLAs were given notice for the meeting. Today's meeting was just a "congregation of individuals", he said.

Asked if the party was heading for a split, he said the question did not arise but it would be difficult for the JD(S) to explain to the people its decision to go with the BJP now.

"Having built the party brick-by-brick, breaking the party is anathema to us," he said, but hastened to add that he would convene a meeting of MLAs, defeated candidates in the last elections and party workers to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy has reportedly sent 40 JD(S) legislators to a resort on Bangalore's outskirts, fearing 'horse trading'.

Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, deputed by the party central leadership to assist in the government formation, met the governor and urged him to give an opportunity to the BJP-JD(S) combine to form a government and prove its strength on the floor of the House.