I'm prepared to step down: CM

A day after he was reportedly told by the BJP central leadership to make way for Jagadish Shettar as the chief minister, D V Sadananda Gowda indicated that he was prepared to step down if officially asked to do so by his Delhi bosses.

“If the decision is in my favour, I will not treat it as sweet; if it is an adverse decision, I will not take it as bitter. For me, it will be a part of my day-to-day life,” Gowda told reporters in Bangalore on Wednesday. He assumed office in August last year.

Gowda was his usual smiling self during his interaction with the public at his home office Krishna on Wednesday morning.

Later speaking to reporters, Gowda said the central leadership had sought details on the political situation in the party from Shettar, BJP State president K S Eshwarappa and himself. BJP national president Nitin Gadkari and senior leader Arun Jaitley told them that they would take a decision in four to five days.

''We told the central leaders that we will abide by their decision,” said Gowda who returned to Bangalore from the national capital late on Tuesday night.

The chief minister said he highlighted the achievements of his government in the last 11 months to the party central leadership. “I discharged my duties sincerely and honestly. The legislature sessions were held successfully. I have given a clean administration and there has not been a single black mark against me,” he said.

He hastened to add that it was for the central leadership to take a final decision on his continuance.

“They gave me a patient hearing and appreciated my efforts. Yet, if they take a decision that they feel will be in the interest of the people and the State, I will abide by it,” the chief minister said.

He termed it unfortunate that the BJP had to face dissidence ever since it came to power in the State in May 2008. “We had to swim against the tide every time. But there still remains a coherent unity in the party. For, the cause of the differences is known and remedial measures available,” he said.

Gowda said he and Shettar travelled by the same car during their recent visit to Delhi. “The present CM, the CM aspirant travelling together. Have you witnessed such scenes in any other party,” he asked.

Legislature session

He said the legislature session will be held in Bangalore from July 16 and the finance bills will be passed on July 30. Gowda had sought a vote of account up to July-end after presenting the budget in March this year.

Cabinet meeting

Gowda said the State Cabinet meeting, earlier scheduled for Thursday, will be held on Friday. The meet had been postponed by a day as ministers would be participating in ‘Shaalegagi Naavu Neevu’, an awareness campaign on the Right to Education Act and enrolment of children aged between six and 14.