Wednesday, September 7 2005 12:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: About half a dozen Congress leaders of Karnataka, including few former Ministers, yesterday (Sept 6, 2005) decried former Prime Minister H D Devegowda's interference in their party affairs and called for an end to what they termed as 'blackmail politics' of the Janata Dal - Secular (JDS) Chief.

Coming down heavily on the remarks made by Gowda over a meeting of Congress leaders held here on September Four, they asserted, "Congress does not require the advice of the JDS supremo and not even his suggestions and directions in building our party."

Former Ministers H M Revanna, Dr A B Maalaka Raddy, Quamarul Islam and seniors leaders like S P Muddahanume Gowda, L R Shivarame Gowda, C M Lingappa, Madhu Madegowda and B A Hasanabba were unequivocal in charging Gowda of being a stumbling block for development in the coalition Government.

They targetted Gowda, accusing him of blocking Metro Rail, Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure and Arkavathy Housing projects and hit out at him for attempts to 'weaken congress.'

The leaders also charged Gowda and his son H D Kumaraswamy of 'dictating' Chief Minister N Dharam Singh and wanted the JDS to allow Singh to function with free hand.

"If Congressmen hold a meeting to discuss party affairs, it is none of Gowda's business to comment. Why should he comment on our meeting," was Muddahanumegowda's poser.

The leaders said the recent meeting was not against Singh or the Government, but only to deliberate on ways to strengthen Congress ahead of the Zilla and Taluk Panchayat polls.

Hasanabba demanded that Gowda end his 'blackmail' politics.

They said like-minded leaders would visit New Delhi on September 13 to apprise the Congress President and other top leaders about the political situation in the state.

The leaders also flayed Gowda's remarks over their holding meetings in Hotels, saying, "We hold meetings in public places like hotels and not in resorts as JDS do."

They sought to clarify that they are neither 'dissatisfied group' nor 'dissidents' nor are they against the leadership of the Chief Minister.

They said they would also call on Singh to explain to him the deliberations of the September Four meeting.

Islam, a former Housing Minister denounced claims of JDS that it was responsible for distribution of ownership right certificates to slum dwellers, saying the decision to this effect was adopted during the S M Krishna Government.