UNI

Bangalore, Oct 30: Janata Dal (Secular) President H D Devegowda today announced that M P Prakash will continue as the state unit President until the byelection to the Chamundeswari Assembly constituency.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said a high level meeting of top leaders held yesterday decided to retain Mr Prakash as the President in the light of latest political developments. However, the party would be reorganised after the byelection based on reports to be submitted by various teams of leaders appointed for the purpose, he added.

Replying to queries he said the coalition partners could go ahead with their idea of appointing chairmen to various boards and corporations as it had nothing to do with the party organisation work.

Without naming any political leader, Mr Devegowda took exception to remarks made against him that he had betrayed the Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and said people knew very well about those leaders who tried to wipe out his party. ''I don't want to indulge in vindictive politics,'' he added.

He observed that induction of cine actor Ambareesh into the Union Cabinet would not have any effect on the Chamundeswari by-election.