JD-S drops plans to form government, decides to face polls

The two-day conclave of the Karnataka Janata Dal-Secular that concluded on Tuesday decided against exploring possibilities of forming another government and galvanised the party for mid-term polls to the state assembly.

The top leadership in the party has been trying since Monday to placate its agitated MLAs, who have been insisting that efforts be made towards installing a government either with its estranged partner Bhratiya Janata Party or with the Congress.

JD-S leaders were worried about peoples' reaction to their candidature in the coming polls in the backdrop of the party reneging on its promise to transfer power to the BJP. Since Monday, majority of MLAs have told Kumaraswamy in clear terms that they were not willing to go for polls. They wanted him to make attempts to form a government, sources said.

But these MLAs were told in clear terms that there was no alternative other than going for elections, sources said.

Kumaraswamy made it clear to partymen that the prospects of installing another government looked bleak with the BJP continuing its belligerent posture and Congress remaining silent and watching the developments.

Kumaraswamy said the meeting passed a resolution authorising him, state unit JD(S) president Merajuddin Patel and former home minister M P Prakash to take a decision on the future course of action. The decision will be followed by all, he added.