Saturday, August 6 2005 15:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Dubbing his ouster by Janata Dal - Secular (JD-S) supremo D Devegowda as an act of vendetta and undemocractic, the sacked Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today (August 6, 2005) categorically ruled out joining any party including Congress.

Pouring out his anger against Gowda, a day after he was sacked as deputy chief minister, he accused the former Prime Minister of being a dictator and no less than Hitler.

Coming down heavily on his dismissal and of two ministers loyal to him, Siddaramaiah said the party supremo's action was bereft of any reason as none of them faced any charges or were incompetent to handle ministries.

"I am in Janata Dal (S). I am a Janata Dal man. It is my house," he said, categorically ruling out joining any other party. "I am not going (to any other party). It (JDS) is my party," he said at a crowded press conference.

In a hard-hitting reaction, Siddaramaiah termed his ouster as anti-democratic, smacked of authoritarian mindset, vengeful act and height of injustice to backward classes, dalits and minorities.

"Myself, Mahadevappa and Satish Jharkhihole, who represent dalit sections have become victims of selfish politics of Gowda and we have joined the list of former Prime Minister's political victims such as Ramakrishna Hegde, S R Bommai, J H Patel among others," Siddaramaiah said.

Cautioning the new JDS Legislative Party (JDSLP) leader M P Prakash, Siddaramaiah predicted that he would be Gowda's next victim.

"What political fault I and my supporters had committed to face a drastic action of dismissal. Was this decision of Gowda had any concept of social justice or was it in the interest of the party and building a resourceful Karnataka?" he asked Gowda, charging that he has thrown to winds all democratic norms.

Hurling broadsides at Gowda, he alleged that the former Prime Minister, who could not digest his emergence as leader and to safeguard the interest of his sons, had acted with vindictiveness against him.

"Gowda has anyway now freed us from his clutches and the clutches of his sons", he said.

Siddaramaiah, for the first time, openly said it was the political machinations of Gowda that robbed him of the Chief Minister's post, while forming the coalition Government, though the Congress was willing to give the top post to JDS.

"Gowda voluntarily said we dont want Chief Minsiter's post and later persuaded me to accept the Deputy Chief Ministership, which I did reluctantly."