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Karnataka Crisis
Trust Vote Today
BJP-JD(S) talks fail

Bangalore, November 18
A day ahead of the crucial trust vote, the fate of the week-old BJP government in Karnataka hangs in the balance as the talks between Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over signing a 12-point “MoU” failed today.

The JD(S) put off its decision whether to vote in favour of the Yedyyurappa government till tomorrow, to continue talks on its demand for signing of the “MoU” and the BJP, on its part, rejected the JD(S)demand to sign the pact, stating that it did not form part of the “common minimum programme”.

“We think, the BJP is very clear. It will not sign the MoU, because it is not a common minimum programme,” a BJP leader said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Reacting to BJP’s stand, highly placed JD(S) sources, who too preferred anonymity, said: “In the wake of rigid stand adopted by the BJP not to ink the ‘MoU’ mooted by the JD(S) and its refusal to accept some demands, the talks have failed. JD(S)’s support to the BJP-led government tomorrow looked doubtful”.

The BJP sources here said: “Whatever was agreed to earlier when both parties formed the coalition government in 2006 will remain valid for this government led by the BJP.” JD(S) chief H.D. Deve Gowda had written a letter to BJP president Rajnath Singh on the “MoU” and “it is with our party president,” the sources said, adding that the JD(S) did not send any letter to the local unit.

The draft of the “MoU”, circulated by the JD(S), states that the post of Deputy Chief Minister should go to the JD(S) nominee and portfolios of ministries should be decided in consultation with Kumaraswamy.

Emerging from the talks with Kumaraswamy here, Yeddyurappa expressed confidence that he would win the trust vote tomorrow.

Declining to disclose the details of the talks with the JD(S) leader, he said, “there is no problem. We will provide a good governance.” On his part, Kumaraswamy said: “We have discussed the problems but declined to divulge the details.” The JD(S) sources, however, said the Chief Minister refused to concede the JD(S) demand for portfolios of mines and geology and urban development.

Yeddyurappa also rejected Kumaraswamy’s demand not to induct the saffron party’s Bellary leader and former minister B. Sriramulu into the ministry. “Yeddyurappa says, it is difficult for him to keep Sriramulu out of the ministry,” the sources said.

The JD(S) is firm against inducting Sriramulu into the ministry as the former had filed a criminal complaint in August against Kumarswamy though he was a member of the state cabinet. — PTI