BJP disputes CM's claim on co-ops

The first sign of discord and strain in relations between Karnataka's ruling coalition partners "" BJP and JD(S) "" has cropped up over nomination to various cooperatives, with the BJP on Monday disputing chief minister H D Kumaraswamy's claims that no such appointments had been made.

A day after Kumaraswamy's outburst over state BJP chief Sadananda Gowda's charge of neglecting his party workers, party spokesman Suresh Kumar released a list of names of 75 JD(S) activists appointed to milk unions, agricultural marketing cooperatives and other cooperative bodies in six districts.

Upset over the BJP state unit chief's charge, Kumaraswamy had told reporters at Hosanagar in Shimoga district in Karnataka on Sunday that he was ready to call it quits and face the elections.

"Politically nobody can take me for a ride. I will not bow before anyone. I am ready to resign and face elections," Kumaraswamy had said.

Seeking to control the damage and prevent the controversy from snowballing, the BJP sought to play down the issue.

The JD(S) and BJP, while forming the coalition government in Karnataka, had agreed that both parties will share nominations and appoint partymen suggested by legislators of respective districts.

BJP spokesman Suresh Kumar appealed to Kumaraswamy to treat the issue as "closed" but reminded him that the "unilateral" decision has upset his partymen. Deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa, in an attempt to defuse the situation, said, "It is not a major problem.We will find a solution."

He said he will hold consultations with Kumaraswamy and Sadananda Gowda.

Revenue minister Jagadish Shettar admitted that certain appointments of JD(S) members had made the BJP leadership angry and efforts were on to find a solution.

When asked if the BJP was ready to face fresh polls in the wake of the chief minister's threat, he refused to comment.