I will convince Deve Gowda about power transfer: Kumaraswamy

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is going to convince his father, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, about the imminent transfer of power to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the chief minister said on Friday.

When the two parties formed the government, they mutually agreed that the Janata Dal (Secular) will hand over power to the BJP on October 3, 2007.

But the relationship between the two parties reportedly soured within a few months and speculations have been rife over whether the JD (S) will hand over the reins of the state to the BJP.

However, Kumaraswamy has assured local BJP leaders that there is nothing to worry about as he is committed to the transfer of power. He added that he would convince his father, the JD (S) supreme, about handing over power to the BJP.

Incidentally, the chief minister had not sought his father's permission while entering into the power-sharing agreement with the BJP.

According to Kumaraswamy, the present situation is different and his father is the final authority on party affairs.

He added that he would never go back on his word and that it was time to put the speculations to rest.