Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 30: Even as Congress leadership tried to patch up the differences between the party and JD(S) over remarks made by certain Congress leaders about the chief minister, the crack between the two coalition partners has refused to narrow down.

Even as former minister, Basavaraj Rayareddy, indirectly supported the stand expressed by legislators of his party, JD(S) leaders have warned Congress leaders that if they fail to restrain their legislators, they would be responsible for the outcome of such a situation.

Minister for minor irrigation and lJD(S) leader, C S Puttaraju, commented that his party should not be blamed for the result arising out of Congress party's failure to control their MLAs. He said thatthe coalition with BJP was better than the current one. JD(S) MLA from Nagamangala, Suresh Gowda, warned Congress that its leaders will face the consequences if they do not stop issuing derogatory statements about the chief minister. "We are not in need of anyone. But others find us inevitable," he reminded.

Although JD(S) appeared to have a bit mellowed down on Tuesday as compared to Monday going by the language used by its leaders, praising of the erstwhile lBJP - JD(S) alliance by a JD(S) party legislator, many analyse, had the backing of the party's top leadership. Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy have made it clear that it would be impossible to rule the state if Congress blocks every move of the JD(S).

While first line leaders of JD(S) seem to have stopped commenting after Deve Gowda asked his son and other leaders to have patience, second rung leaders seem to have taken up the task of taking on Congress party aggressively for humiliating the chief minister.