Friday, August 5 2005 18:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh indicated today (Aug 5, 2005) he is awaiting letter from Assembly Speaker Krishna on the JDS Legislature Party leadership issue before acting on the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) missive to him asking for sacking Deputy Chief Minister and rebel leader Siddaramaiah from the ministry.

Singh confirmed to reporters that he has indeed received the letter from JDS, which sought dismissal of Siddaramaiah and ministers H C Mahadevappa and Satish Jharkhihole who are loyal to him, but said the Speaker's would guide him through letter on the JDSLP leadership issue.

Despite pressure mounted by the JDS, Siddaramaiah, who was ousted as JDSLP leader and replaced by Revenue Minister M P Prakash yesterday (Aug 4, 2005), has refused to throw in the towel and maintained that he continues to be the JDSLP leader.

The JDS leadership has informed the Speaker about the leadership change but in a counter move, Siddaramaiah has also raised objections, maintaining that the legislature party meeting convened by the Gowda camp to oust him was 'illegal'.

Singh said today: "We have received the letter (electing Prakash as JDSLP leader).We will see.We are examining the whole thing".

"Siddaramaiah says he is (still) the JDSLP leader. They have elected a new leader. Now it has to go to the Speaker. The Speaker has to write a letter to us. He (the Speaker) has to tell".

Water Resources Minister and KPCC President M Mallikarjuna Kharge, who was sitting next to Singh, pointed out it is for the Speaker to recognize the JDSLP leader, once that's done, 'follow up action' will be taken by the Chief Minister.

Speaking to reporters earlier in the morning, Singh said he had received the letter demanding dismissal of Siddaramaiah and two ministers.

"The letter has come. I will see", he said.

Losing out on the number game, Siddaramaiah last night deferred the JDSLP meeting convened by him due to lack of quorum.

On Gowda camp's moves to get him sacked, he told reporters, "I hope the Chief Minister will not take such a decision".

Deve Gowda camp has claimed the support of 53 of the total 58 JDS MLAs.