K’taka: Gowda sets conditions, BJP says all fine

The BJP sought to downplay the guidelines laid down by Deve Gowda for the saffron party-led government in Karnataka.

The BJP sought to downplay the guidelines laid down by JD-S supremo Deve Gowda for the saffron party-led government in Karnataka, saying these were his ‘expectations’ and ‘not conditions’.

Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar dodged questions on the JD-S condition that the two parties should part ways in the event of mid-term polls to the Lok Sabha and claimed that the JD(S)-BJP alliance was ‘stable’.

“They have some expectations and they are describing it through letters. But basically what they have conveyed to the Governor is what matters for the formation of government,” he said.

BJP had been claiming that the JD-S has extended ‘unconditional support’ to it in Karnataka, but Gowda sprang a surprise on Wednesday by setting 11 conditions which included a demand that the BJP should adhere to a strict secular code.

The BJP, meanwhile, seemed to be losing its patience as the Centre continued to remain indecisive on whether to revoke the Presidential Rule in Karnataka five days after the JD(S)-BJP staked claim to form government in the state.

“Governor Rameshwar Thakur has send a report. The Centre should take a decision on the basis of his report. There is no other alternative before the Governor other than the BJP-JD(S) combine which has the majority,” Javadekar added.

Asked about Gowda’s letter to BJP chief Rajnath Singh in which he has said that the two parties should part ways in the event of mid-term polls, he said, “different parties could have different expectations and aspirations.”

Story continues below this ad

Gowda had earlier expressed his desire to fight the Lok Sabha elections together with the BJP. “We will announce our stand at the time of Lok Sabha elections,” Javadekar said.