Monday, February 6 2006 15:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: In a bid to mollify Dalit organisations, which have been up in arms against Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa over a report that a portrait of Dr B R Ambedkar had been removed from his office, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy appealed to them to come for talks.

Requesting Dalit organisations not to be swayed by frayed tempers, the Chief Minister said "My doors are open for talks. We will make every effort to clear their doubts".

At a press conference here, he also appealed to people not to resort to violence over the issue, which he termed as 'sensitive'.

Meanwhile, Yediyurappa, who is at the centre of the controversy, denied the report published in a Kannada newspaper as 'far from the truth' and threatened to launch a legal battle, if necessary, against the concerned daily.

He said he has decided to complain to the Press Council of India against the daily.

"I have a lot of reverence for Dr Ambedakar and concern for Dalits", he said, adding that his view was that Ambedkar's portrait should be there in every government office.