Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, on Monday, reiterated that he was committed for transfer of power to BJP on October 3.

Responding to queries from reporters in an informal chat, the chief minister said handing over power as per an agreement reached with coalition partner BJP, was in the long-term interests of the Janata Dal [Secular].

 Noting that his credibility was involved relinquishing chief ministership in favour of BJP, he pointed out that activity relating to this may gain speed after September 30, when the results of the local municipal elections would be announced.

“I need just two hours to take a decision in this regard. Even, in the formation of the government 20 months ago, it required just 24 hours. As you can see it , it helped the party”, Kumaraswamy said.

 He however, did not give a direct answer to a question on the statements made by his father, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and state JD[S] Chief Merajuddin Patel. Gowda, while calling the party workers to be prepared to face a mid-term poll for the state Assembly, had hinted that he would have to talk to senior national leaders of BJP on the transfer of power. Patel had remarked that it was not Kumaraswamy but the party which would decide on the transfer of power.

Asked about the demand from the partymen over a possibility of the present arrangement continuing, the chief minister indicated that such a demand was indeed there from a section of partymen.

After landing in the capital around 2 pm, Kumaraswamy met Gowda and held discussion with him. He also called on Governor Rameshwar Thakur here. Asked about his meeting with the Governor in Bangalore a couple of days ago, the chief minister said it was a courtesy call as he had not met him after Thakur’s swearing in.