BANGALORE, November 11: The former chief minister of Karnataka, S Bangarappa, has categorically ruled out any chances of a compromise with Congress President Sitaram Kesri. He however refused to commit himself to more than a wait-and-see response regarding his future plans.

Addressing media persons here over his proposed Nov.19 rally, he dismissed Kesri's recent statement about staying put in the Congress with a disparaging remark that the latter was ``the best man to tell the future. He can even put up a fortune-teller's board at the bus stand. In any case he has the Hand as the symbol''. As for Kesri's reference to them being friends, he said Kesri's offer of friendship was like Dhritharashtra's hug which could crush you to pieces.

Decrying the lack of charismatic leadership in the Congress, he said that more and more leaders were leaving the party which had begun to nosedive at the national level under its present leadership.

He also regretted having merged his Karnataka Congress Party (KCP) with the Congress and lamented the loss of his party symbol for which he was ``damned sorry''.

He however denied rumours of reported meetings with former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and BSP chief Kanshi Ram for a possible alliance. Such an occasion had not arisen, he said. But in politics, it is difficult to predict who will ally with whom, he added ambiguously.

Even the Bharatiya Janata Party which had earlier criticised the Congress culture had now adopted the same tactic in Uttar Pradesh.

For the sake of power and to retain it, both Advani and Vajpayee were willing to do anything, including divide other parties. On Nov.13, they will repeat the UP exercise in Gujarat, he predicted.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.