Sushma’s words angers HDK
Madikeri, dhns: “There are still 45 days left to hand over the power to BJP. The statements of leaders on this matter affects the administration badly. I’ll not talk about it repeatedly. I’ll leave everything to them.”
This is how Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy reacted to BJP leader Sushma Swaraj’s reported statement on power transfer in the State.
Ms Swaraj had said in Belgaum that the CM would hand over power and a BJP man would become the next chief minister.
Speaking to reporters here, he made it clear he has not had any talks with Congress leaders on  forming a coalition government. Asked to comment on former chief minister Dharam Singh’s remarks that anything is possible in the State, Mr Kumaraswamy said: “All leaders express their opinions. It does not apply to me.”
JD (S) leaders
to stay mum
Bangalore, dhns: The Janata Dal (Secular) leaders have decided to maintain a silence on transfer of power to the BJP in the State.
According to party sources, instead the party leaders will concentrate on development works.
Even though majority of JD (S) leaders say that the final decision on power transfer has been left to the top leaders like Mr H D Kumaraswamy and Mr M P Prakash, they are of the view that JD (S) should hand over power to BJP as per the agreement.
“CM wants to hand over the power, but we are worried about the stand of party supremo H D Deve Gowda. In most of the constituencies there is a direct fight between JD (S) and Congress. Hence, joining hands with the Congress to form the next coalition government is inimical to our interest”, Janata Dal  (Secular) sources said.
Sharad Yadav taunts Gowda
Bangalore, dhns: Janata Dal (U) National President Sharad Yadav on Sunday questioned the silence of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) issue.
Speaking to reporters after visiting Nandagudi, where an SEZ has been planned, Mr Yadav said, “The leaders who claim to be sons of the soil are keeping their mouth shut, when farmers are on the verge of being thrown onto the streets after being dependent on their land for a living,” apparently ridiculing Mr Gowda.
Mr Yadav added that the plight of farmers is being ignored when land is being acquired in the name of establishing SEZ’s.
“These are leaders who harp on development of farmers but turn a blind eye to their woes. Karnataka is not the only state that has ignored the interests of farmers. Other states such as Uttar Pradesh are playing to the tunes of Nikil Gandhis and Ambanis, who are adamant on establishing Special Economic Zones,” he pointed out.
The JD (U) leader also launched an attack on the Congress for succumbing to the wishes of industrialists and ignoring farmers.
“They claim to represent the oppressed classes, weaker sections and the backward people. Their true colours are evident now,” Mr Yadav said.
JD (U) state president V Somashekhar was present on the occasion.
Mr Yadav also criticised the Congress-led UPA government over the nuclear deal and warned the government India will also have to follow diktats of the US.
Addressing the party workers’ meet here, he said the UPA government is hiding the terms and conditions mentioned in the N-deal between America and India.
“The government is intentionally presenting the English version of N-deal because the regional language may awaken a majority of people who do not know English. He said the end of non-allignment movement and the former USSR’s fall has led to imbalance in the world and all nations are succumbing to pressure created by the US,” he added.