He said that at this juncture he was not aware of who would be the deputy chief minister. “I will focus on strengthening the Party by touring the State. The JD(S) legislature Party would hold its meeting tomorrow at 10 am to decide who should be in the Cabinet. We are planning to meet in a hotel outside the City, for two days.”
Here are some excerpts from the interaction he had with the media on Saturday...

Q: Why the turnaround from your side? Why are you supporting the BJP once again?
HDK: You have been watching the political developments in the state in the last two weeks. A section of the Congress were trying to break the JD(S). As a leader of the JD(S) legislature party I had to take this step.

Why does the State have to witness this sort of political upheaval?
Politics itself is like this. There is no politician who can claim that he is morally right and honest. All including me, are dishonest. What we discuss in public is different from what happens behind the screen. That is why I request the people of the State to bring political stability at least in next elections.

Has Deve Gowda given green signal for this decision?
 I have not taken Deve Gowda’s permission for taking this decision. My first priority is to keep the party united. Even 20 months ago, the party was in a similar situation. Then the Congress tried to break our unity and we had to go with the BJP. Similarly this time, efforts have been made.

You could have extended your support soon after completion of 20 months itself.
 Even I too had been saying the same. Earlier, I had to take the decision against my wish. Moreover, the BJP did not create an environment conducive for the smooth transfer of power. People of the State should understand that I alone am not responsible for these developments. Had BJP leaders come for discussion instead of setting the deadline for transfer of power, the present situation would not have arisen.

You have expressed your party’s support to M P Prakash’s efforts to tie up with Congress.
 Let me tell you frankly. Prakash had not discussed with either me or Deve Gowda before holding talks with Congress leaders. He made his efforts as he was also authorised to take decision at the party legislators meeting. The party would have appreciated if Prakash had held talks with senior leaders of the Congress. It appeared in media that he held talks with Siddaramaiah in Bangalore. Is Siddaramaiah the Congress party high command?

How many legislators are with you?
 Only a handful of MLAs have identified with Prakash. Around 45 legislators are with me. I will discuss  with Prakash. I am hopeful that he will also welcome the stand we have taken.

Many a time you criticised the BJP as communal...
 No...I have never branded the BJP as communal. This is not the time to discuss who is secular or who is communal. The Congress which claims itself as secular has never been a secular party.

 Will you allow the BJP to continue for next 20 months?
 The JD(S) will extend support for next 20 months provided the BJP makes development of the State as its agenda. It should not try to disturb peace and harmony.