Bangalore: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has rejected the idea that the split in his party would have any overall impact on his party. "The resignation by a section of partymen would have no impact on JD(S)", he said.

"The split will have no impact on the party. Alternative arrangements are being made to head the party in places where some of our party leaders resigned", Kumaraswamy, whose efforts to avert a split had failed, told PTI here.

Senior leader M P Prakash, who hails from dominant Lingayat community, heading the rebel camp, yesterday announced the decision to quit JDS along with 12 former MLAs and their supporters.

Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister H D Devegowda, said he would chart out a programme to tour the state from December 16 to strengthen the party, obviously to arrest the damage caused by the split.

Majority of the leaders, who walked out of JDS protesting against "dictatorial attitude" of Devegowda, represent North Karnataka region, besides old Mysore areas.

Former legislators like B C Patil, Amaregowda Byyapura, M Y Patil and Suryanarayana Reddy have sizeable clout in parts of North Karnataka districts and H S Mahadeva Prasad holds key in old Mysore areas.

Rebels ranks were expected to swell in the coming days with Parimala Nagappa, wife of slain former minister H Nagappa, who comes from Chamarajnagar district in old Mysore areas, also deciding to quit JDS.

Former minister G T Devegowda, who hails from Mysore is joining BJP today, dealing yet another blow to JDS.

Source : PTI