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Hegde no threat to JD, says Patel

Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel has ruled out any threat to his government and asserted that no minister would resign from his cabinet to join the Lok Shakthi.

This was in response to former chief minister and Lok Shakthi chief Ramakrishna Hegde's statement that a few Janata Dal ministers would cross over shortly.

Hegde, however, stood by his statement -- there would certainly be defections, though at this juncture he didn't reveal the number or names.

Patel said he had discussions with some of his cabinet colleagues, including Industries Minister R V Deshapande, Revenue Minister Ramesh Jigajinagi and Forest Minister Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, who were all said to be close to Hegde.

"They have promised not to leave the Janata Dal," Patel said.

Referring to Union Textile Minister R L Jalappa's decision to leave the Dal for the Congress, Patel said the minister was joining a party which was 'on the verge of extinction'.

"His decision will not affect the JD," he said, "But leaving the party at election time is a heinous act."

Patel was hopeful the party would improve its tally. However, the poll could not be considered a referendum on his government's performance.

'The list of candidates will be announced on January 20," Patel said. "Some of the sitting MPs will not be given party ticket."

Meanwhile, Hegde said stability, good governance, honesty, ability to fight corruption, unemployment and illiteracy would be the Lok Shakthi's election issues.

Asked whether he could contest the election, Hegde said, ''Why not? Provided the state president (Dr Jeevaraja Alva) asked me to do so.''

Dr Alva, however, had indicated that he would rather Hegde didn't contest, but devoted himself to campaigning.

Incidentally, former city police commissioner P Kodandaramaiah who represented Chitradurga in the dissolved Lok Sabha joined the Lok Shakthi on Saturday. Former Congress minister Eva Vaz and JD minorities cell secretary general M J Ali also crossed over to Hegde.

UNI

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