Karnataka power crisis: BJP withdraws support

The Bharatiya Janata Party today decided to withdraw its support from the 20-month old H D Kumaraswamy Government after the Janata Dal (Secular) refused to transfer power to it in accordance to the power-sharing agreement.

New Delhi, Oct 6 : The Bharatiya Janata Party today decided to withdraw its support from the 20-month old H D Kumaraswamy Government after the Janata Dal (Secular) refused to transfer power to it in accordance to the power-sharing agreement.

The BJP has decided to pull out of the coalition government in the state thus paving the way for mid-term polls, BJP senior leader Yashwant Sinha told reporters.

According to sources, JD (S) chief H D Deve Gowda has told BJP chief Rajnath Singh that his party would not transfer power to BJP and this compelled the BJP to withdraw its support.

Yesterday night Gowda met Singh to sort out the differences.

Meanwhile, former BJP president Venkaih Naidu has said that the JD (S) has betrayed the people of Karnataka by not transferring the power, adding, his party would emerge victorious in the mid-term polls.

Commenting on the much-touted Congress-JD (S) pact, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said on Friday that nothing can be ruled out.

Talks are doing the rounds that the Congress party and the JD(S) can join hands to form the government in the state.

The Karnataka Cabinet on Friday decided to hold special session of the State Assembly on October 18 for a trial of strength.

Kumaraswamy had attacked the 'communal' BJP for attempting to malign him and his family with allegations of bribery and corruption.

Last month, Sinha met Gowda in Bangalore to put an end to the power transfer crisis in the state.

Referring to grave charges, such as attempt to murder, a BJP minister leveled against Kumaraswamy, Gowda told Sinha that in such a situation the post of Chief Minister cannot be handed over to the BJP.

ANI