'Decision on seat sharing for LS poll by month-end'

Coalition Co-ordination Committee chairman Siddaramaiah on Friday said that the seat sharing between the Congress and the JD(S) for Lok Sabha elections would be finalised by this month-end.

Speaking to reporters at Hubballi Airport, Siddaramaiah said there was no rift between the coalition partners. He reiterated that Ramesh Jarkiholi would not quit Congress.

On the allegations that he wielded his clout to get his men into Kumaraswamy ministry, Siddaramaiah said, "I had just given my suggestions to the high command on the Cabinet expansion and portfolio allocation. It was the party leadership which took the final call."

To a query on Sabarimala row, Siddaramaiah said, "The BJP leaders have no respect for the Supreme Court. Hence, they are opposing the women entry in Ayyappa Swamy temple at Sabarimala."

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that Supreme Court order is awaited on Ram Mandir issue, but the BJP leaders are protesting in Sabarimala issue though the apex court has given judgement, allowing the women to enter the temple, the former chief minister said.

Congress is not against SC order in Rafale deal issue, but is demanding a probe by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). But, the BJP-led NDA government is afraid to constitute the JPC, he added.