PTI 

Bangalore, Mar 23: A day after coming under fire from some of his partymen for vouching for his son and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, a beleaguered JD(S) supremo H D Devegowda on Wednesday did a volte-face, asserting the issue of initiating action against rebel party MLAs was "still pending" before the party disciplinary committee.

At a hurriedly called press conference here, he claimed his Tuesday's statement that he had appointed his son as JD(S) legsilature party leader was "misquoted" in some section of the media.

Refuting that he has recognized Kumaraswamy, who joined hands with BJP to form the government in Karnataka against his wishes, as JD(S)LP leader, he said "I have no authority to recognise the leader. It is the Speaker of the state assembly who has recognised him according to rules".

Deve Gowda said he was "confident that (senior JD-S leader) M P Veerendrakumar will understand the real crux of the problem and also its implications. I hope and trust that good sense will prevail upon him and he will continue to cooperate with me".

Gowda said suspension of 47 MLAs, including seven supporting former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah, has been referred to the disciplinary committee, which was yet to serve them notices.

The party disciplinary committee head is now abroad and would initiate the process on return, he said.

He hit out at Left parties for questioning his secular credentials.