I'm ready to quit: Gowda

Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Saturday said he is ready to step down if BJP central leadership asks him to do so. "I have said whatever decision the central leadership takes, I am prepared to accept. That means if they ask me to quit the post, I am prepared. If they ask me to continue, I will continue," he told reporters after reaching here. Gowda, who is set to be replaced by Jagdish Shettar, said he had come to Delhi to convey his feelings to the central leadership on the crisis in the state.

"... The decision should not be delayed. Immediately they should take decision as 123 talukas are under severe drought and people should not feel that political disturbance in the state is affecting the functioning of the government," he said. "I want to impress upon my leaders that an immediate decision should be taken and whatever it may be, the administration should go on smoothly," Gowda said.

Asked if he was going to resign, he said "the decision of the party leadership has not yet arrived. Once the decision comes, then only I can speak on that. I cannot tell anything at this stage." BJP today decided to replace Gowda with Shettar as Chief Minister of Karnataka.