Karnataka does not figure in Cabinet meet

The suspense over government formation in Karnataka continued on Friday as the issue did not figure at a meeting of the Union Cabinet.

"Karnataka issue never figured in the Cabinet agenda. It is a subject matter of the CCPA (Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs)," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters.

Media reports had stated that the Cabinet meeting will take a decision on the issue of lifting President's rule in the state, paving the way for government formation.

Responding to questions regarding new conditions set by the JD-S for supporting a BJP-led coalition government, Dasmunsi said "there is an 11 or 12-point programme. Whatever response is required to this, it is for the BJP to do. We will not give any reaction."

Asked about the Centre's view on the issue, he said "the Constitutional practice should not be disturbed in any manner. There should be no interference in the Constitutional mechanism."

The CCPA, which met on Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had also not discussed the report sent by Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur on the latest political situation in the state.

President's rule was imposed in the state on October 9 after JD-S-BJP government collapsed due to differences between the coalition partners over the transfer of power.

Adding to the worries of BJP in Karnataka, JD-S President H D Deve Gowda put forth certain conditions to the saffron party which included a major say for his son and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy in the decision-making.