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JD would offer issue-based support at Centre, says J H Patel

Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel today said the Janata Dal would offer issue-based support to whichever government was there at the Centre.

In an informal chat with newspersons in New Delhi, Patel said there should be no obstacle in the way of the Bharatiya Janata Party forming a government as it had emerged as the largest single party in the elections to the 12th Lok Sabha.

Patel, who is in the capital on an official visit, said he was speaking as chief minister and as a Janata Dal leader.

He said the non-BJP parties should not give an impression that they were ganging up against the BJP. The country needed a driver and if the BJP had the strength, it should be allowed to form the government.

Patel said he was confident of proving his majority in a trial of strength on the floor of the House.

He said the Congress and the BJP, both were not interested in destabilising his government and "only a few gentlemen were day-dreaming".

"If Ramakrishna Hegde's Lok Shakti has the strength to destabilise this government, he should demonstrate it in the assembly," he said.

The chief minister said no single person was responsible for victory or defeat in elections. "It is team work," he added.

UNI

Elections '98

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