Art 371: KJP blames Centre

President of Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) V Dhananjaya Kumar blamed the Union and state governments for the failure to amend Article 371 of the Constitution granting special status to six districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

He said both the BJP and Congress-led UPA have been politicising this issue. “Failure of coordination between the governments has resulted in the current row,” he added. Before addressing the KJP workers here on Sunday, he said that the Centre has no time to pass the Bill as it is mired in corruption. He also came down heavily on Rajya Sabha member Venkaiah Naidu for his recommendation to the Centre suggesting to withdraw the Amendment Bill. “Naidu has failed to protect the interests of Karnataka, despite entering the Rajya Sabha from the state,” he charged.

According to Kumar, many leaders from the JD(S), BJP and Congress are expected to join the KJP. “Former chief minister B S Yeddurappa will resign from BJP’s primary membership and there is no question of postponing the KJP convention on December 9. The KJP will not disturb the BJP government which will collapse on its own,” he said. Expressing regret over the pathetic condition of roads in the district, he said former prime minister H D Deve Gowda failed to provide basic amenities for the district.