Karnataka CM in 145;BJP durbar146;

Kumaraswamy had been avoiding meeting the BJP leaders during his visits to the capital as part of a strategy to project his 8216;8216;secular8217;8217; credentials. Now that the coalition has stabilised and the Deve Gowda clan has rallied round him to enjoy the fruits of power, Kumaraswamy has shed the 8220;secular8221; baggage.

8216;8216;I told you I would meet the BJP leaders at an appropriate time,8217;8217; he reminded reporters adding, 8216;8216;Today is the appropriate time.8217;8217; Kumaraswamy disclosed that he had also invited Vajpayee to the function marking the inauguration of the Aalamatty Dam.

When asked about the remarks of JDS Lok Sabha member MP Veerendrakumar that his father HD Deve Gowda had no moral right to head the party, Kumaraswamy said: 8216;8216;That is not my concern.8217;8217;