Newindpress

Bangalore, Oct 2: There was no mincing of words. The BJP on Monday sent a clear signal to the JD(S) asking Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to step down by Tuesday evening and back B S Yediyurappa in his taking over as CM.

“Kumaraswamy must submit his resignation to the Governor by Tuesday evening and also hand over a letter of support of his legislators supporting Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to become CM as per the power sharing agreement between them 20 months ago,” BJP senior vice-president Yashwanth Sinha, who is also in charge of party affairs in Karnataka, told reporters here.

The BJP, which has been at the receiving end from its coalition partner JD(S) over power transfer all these 19 months, went on an offensive, sending clear signals that there was no scope for further negotiations over the issue.

“This is a matter which was debated, discussed and agreed upon by both the parties. Hence there is no scope for further negotiations over power transfer,” he said.

Further, he said the party would also expect Kumaraswamy to abide by the agreement with regard to the duration of sharing the CM's post and allocation of portfolios. This quashed all rumours of negotiations with the saffron party for continuation of Kumaraswamy beyond October 3 in exchange for a few plum ministerial berths.

Sinha said the power-sharing agreement was reached on mutual agreement and said it was time for Kumaraswamy to abide by the terms of the agreement. Asked about BJP's plans if the JD(S) did not abide by the agreement, Sinha said the future course of action would be decided as and when time came. However, he expressed confidence that Kumaraswamy would honour the agreement and hand over power to the BJP.

He refused to divulge details of his dialogue with JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda saying the conversations between them was personal. He would meet Gowda if the situation demanded, he said. Meanwhile, the BJP ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, have decided to submit their resignations to Kumaraswamy to put pressure on him.

Sources in the party say Yediyurappa, along with his party ministers would meet Kumaraswamy on Tuesday evening and submit resignation letters to him. Besides, the party would also officially make a petition to the CM asking him to resign and pave way for Yediyurappa to take over the reins.