As the saying goes - like father, like son. Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday seconded his father-JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda’s 12 conditions to the BJP, saying that his party has not declared ‘unconditional’ support to the saffron party to lead the government.

Speaking to Deccan Herald in Bangalore, he said except for one on dissolution of the Assembly along with  Parliament, if necessary, none of the conditions are difficult to implement.

Mr Gowda has laid down 12 conditions to the BJP for it to lead the coalition government in the State, including a major say for Mr Kumaraswamy in administration and liberty for the party to walk out of the coalition whenever Parliament is dissolved.

Mr Kumaraswamy also claimed that there is nothing new in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and that it has been drafted based on the discussions with BJP national leaders Rajnath Singh and Yashwant Sinha.

Excerpts of interaction with Mr Kumaraswamy:

DH: Why Mr Gowda laid down conditions for the BJP?
HDK: Why should one think they are conditions? They are actually suggestions from Mr Gowda for the efficient and smooth functioning of the government. My father does not want Yeddyurappa to suffer like me being the chief minister.

For instance, an MLC from Bellary made wild allegations against me. So, Mr Gowda in his 12 conditions has said MLAs and leaders of both partners should not fight openly.

In another instance, Mr Yeddyurappa’s men tried to manhandle IAS officer V P Baligar when he was Principal Secretary to Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department. I was forced to transfer him. Then, Mr Yeddyurappa wanted me to shift Baligar to Finance Department. Hence, in order to ensure that such instances do not recur in the future, conditions have been laid down.

DH: Do you think the BJP will accept the MoU?
HDK: Why not? It’s good for them. Moreover, there is nothing new in the MoU. It is drafted based on a series of discussions Mr Gowda had with BJP national leaders Rajnath Singh and Yashwant Sinha. The 12 points are not very difficult to implement.

DH: What if the BJP rejects these conditions?
HDK: If such a situation arises, then we will think of the future course of action.

DH: How do you justify your condition that the Assembly should be dissolved along with  Parliament?
HDK: I agree that it is one of the complicated conditions.

But it will be in the interest of both the parties. Going to elections along with the general elections is always good. In fact, my father has also discussed this issue with the BJP leaders.

DH: Mr Yeddyurappa had been stating that it was unconditional support. Why?
HDK: We have never said that it will be an unconditional support to the BJP.

DH: Have you set any deadline for the BJP to come back to you on the conditions?
HDK: No, I am not the one to set any deadline like the BJP.