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Dissidence hits Karnataka JD again

The differences in the ruling Janata Dal in Karnataka came to the fore yet again, despite assertions to the contrary, with dissidents rallying behind former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah staying away from the third expansion of the J H Patel ministry in less than nine months.

Most of the ministers identified with Deve Gowda did not turn up at the Raj Bhavan, where Belagodu Lokappagowda Shankar, the lone minister, was sworn in. However, the ministers, whom Deve Gowda had reportedly insisted should be dropped, were present.

Patel tried to play down the absence saying that most of them were away and some of them had telephoned him.

Siddaramaiah, who was conspicuous by his absence, turned up at the Raj Bhavan after the ceremony. He met the governor after congratulating Shankar.

Patel also refused to be drawn into a controversy when asked whether he was asserting himself. "I leave it to you to presume whatever you want," he told a reporter.

Deve Gowda left for Hassan on Saturday night and is expected back late in the evening.

Shankar was unceremoniously relieved as the ruling Janata Dal state unit president earlier this month.

Patel told the media after the swearing in that he accommodated Shankar as he had "gracefully" vacated the post.

UNI

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