Thaindian News

Bangalore, July 4 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Monday said his predecessor H.D. Kumaraswamy will not be allowed to undertake his ‘fast-unto-death’ protest in front of Vidhana Soudha (state assembly).

“No one, however high, is allowed to stage protests in front of Vidhana Soudha. Kumaraswamy can go on his protest at Freedom Park (about 4 km from Vidhana Soudha),” Yeddyurappa told reporters here.

Kumaraswamy, who is the chief of Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Karnataka unit, is to go on a ‘fast-unto-death’ from July 9 if Yeddyurappa does not order a probe or tender apology for alleging that his (Kumaraswamy’s) family has illegally amassed assets worth Rs.1,500 crore.

“If permission is not given to sit on fast in front of Vidhana Soudha, then I will undertake it at Basaveshwara Circle (about half a km away),” Kumaraswamy said, reacting to Yeddyurappa’s statement.

Yeddyurappa ruled out persuading Kumaraswamy to give up his proposed fast.

“If somebody comes to me about their problem, I will try to solve it. I do not want to say anything more,” he said.

Kumaraswamy, son of JD-S president and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and Yeddyurappa have been accusing each other of illegally amassing assets.

On June 28, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party released a booklet containing details of lands, commercial and residential properties and business interests of the Gowda family. The present value of these assets stands at Rs.1,500 crore, the booklet said.

The following day, Kumaraswamy threatened to go on a ‘fast-unto-death’ if Yeddyurappa does not announce within a week a probe by any agency to find out whether the assets were illegally acquired.

Kumaraswamy Monday said there was no change in his plans though his doctors had advised him against the fast as he had heart-related ailments.