Wednesday, February 8 2006 13:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: With an expected smooth sailing, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today (Feb 8 2006) sought a vote of confidence in his JDS-BJP ministry in the assembly, facing an attack from the Congress, which accused him of forming an 'unholy alliance' with the 'reactionary' BJP.

Moving a one-line motion, Kumaraswamy made brief remarks, saying legislators of his party and BJP had taken 'certain decisions' leading to the formation of the new coalition Government after 'swift and rapid political developments.'

"The Governor has asked me to prove my majority", Kumaraswamy, who staged a political coup that brought down the JDS-Congress Government led by Dharam Singh and led to the formation of the new Government on February three, said.

In his 10-minute speech, Kumaraswamy declared that he was committed to providing good governance, keeping in mind the welfare of SCs, STs, backward classes and women with the ultimate goal of ensuring all-round development of the state. He also appealed to senior opposition leaders to bestow the benefits of their administrative experience to him.

"I do not want to go into other matters now", he said, as he wound up his speech, steering clear of any controversies in his initial remarks. The house proceedings began with Speaker Krishna announcing recognition of former chief minister N Dharam Singh as the leader of opposition.

Attacking the alliance of BJP and 'a section of JDS', Singh told Kumaraswamy that he had joined hands with "communal and reactionary forces", giving a go-bye to the ideology and the principle of secularism which his father and JDS supremo H D Devegowda professed.

"We are in peculiar political circumstances now", he said, and recalled the backdrop in which the JDS and Congress joined hands after the last assembly elections threw up a fractured verdict, to "keep the communal forces out of power. Sonia Gandhi and Devegowda decided we should join hands."

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa of BJP harped on the 'Hindutva' ideology even after assuming office, Singh said, taking a jibe at the Chief Minister for the partner he had chosen to align with. Singh also explained the circumstances under which he could not seek a vote of confidence before the January 27 deadline set by the Governor, due to uproar in the assembly, which was adjourned sine die by the Speaker.

He said he apprised the Governor of the circumstances that did not allow him to seek the trust vote and sought one more opportunity and "Then, it was a different story. There was no question of clinging to power", he said, referring to his decision to resign.