PTI
 
Bangalore, Sep 9: Continuing to send contradictory signals on the contentious issue of power transfer to the BJP next month, JD(S) on Saturday asserted that chief minister Minister H D Kumaraswamy cannot "unilaterally" decide the matter, over which the party will have a final say.

"Kumaraswamy can't decide power transfer to BJP on his own. He may be willing. But he has to consult the party," JD(S) Karnataka unit president Merajuddin Patel declared at a press conference here.

In another remark that would dampen the spirits in the BJP camp which is waiting to lead the coalition from October three in consonance with the power sharing pact, Patel said: "If the party high command decides to transfer power, it will be done. If not, it will not happen."

Favouring continuance of Kumaraswamy as chief minister, Patel claimed there has been an overwhelming demand by people and JD(S) partymen on this and BJP should respect the views of the majority.

When asked about the rationale of bringing the party into the picture even though the agreement was between Kumaraswamy and dyCM B S Yediyurappa of BJP, he said "the situation then and now are different".

JDS chief H D Deve Gowda, campaigning for the party in the coming urban local bodies election in parts of the state for the past few days, has been telling his partymen that unless there was a "scrutiny" on whether BJP followed the agreement reached during formation of the coalition government, there will not be any discussion on power transfer.