New Delhi/Bangalore: Karnataka is in the midst of a deepening political crisis with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy announcing he will step down on October 3 as per the power-sharing accord with ally BJP.
"I don't want to belittle my image before the public, reneging on my promise. I will step down on October three," he was quoted by news agencies as saying.
However, Kumaraswamy has maintained a studied silence on the issue of transferring power to BJP.
He is understood to have been advised by legislators of the two ruling coalition partners to not decide on quitting in haste and to take them into confidence on the issue.
Kumaraswamy has also said several legislators were in favour of his continuing as Chief Minister till JD(S) and BJP resolved the power transfer issue.
Meanwhile, BJP sources have told CNN- IBN that if power is not transferred, all 17 BJP members will resign from Karnataka cabinet.
Former prime minister and JD (S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda has reacted to the development. “The conduct of the BJP leaders has disappointed me. The atmosphere is not good for any meeting and BJP should sort out the issues first,” he said.
Incidentally, Gowda has been coming up with a series of political flip-flops. Here’s a timeline:
Jan 9, 2006: Gowda says his alliance with Congress is over.
February 3, 2006: son Kumaraswamy becomes chief minister with BJP help. Gowda claims he is not party to the decision and attacks BJP, only to back his son by June
August 2006: Gowda starts dictating terms and even shares the dais with BJP on occasions
December 2006: The rift in the coalition starts taking an ugly turn. Though Gowda maintains he has nothing to do with the transfer of power.
April 2007: Gowda alleges the BJP is following "communal dharma " and threatens to withdraw support. Tries to send feelers to the Congress
September 2007: Gowda suspends all meetings with BJP on power.
(With PTI inputs)
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