Bangalore, Mar 06: Union Consumer Affairs Minister V Srinivas Prasad has resigned from the national democratic alliance government and joined the Janata Dal (Secular) of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda. Mr Prasad, who had indicated that he would quit a few days ago, faxed his resignation letter to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee last night. It had been acknowledged by the Prime Minister's Office, he added.
Joining the Janata Dal (S) in the presence of its National President Deve Gowda here today, he said his main aim was to join forces to defeat the Congress in the state. The NDA partners had no major presence in Karnataka and the BJP was dominating the state. Instead of the NDA agenda it was pursuing the BJP agenda. BJP state President H N Ananth Kumar even organised a Hindu Samavesha (conference) here recently in which Vishwa Hindu Parishad and RSS leaders participated, he said. Mr Prasad, who represented Chamarajanagar reserve constituency for four terms between 1980 and 1996 as congress nominee, got elected on the Janata Dal (United) ticket. But later, switched over to the Samata Party, which had now merged with the JD (U).
The senior politician, who is unlikely to seek re-election, said he would make all efforts to defeat the Congress.

Former Minister Perikal Mallappa also joined the JD(S) along with Prasad.


Bureau Report