Bangalore, Sept.27 : Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Devegowda today said that he would not be talking to leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the issue of a transfer of power in Karnataka until the latter created an atmosphere conducive for talks.

Addressing a hurriedly called news conference here, Devegowda appeared to rule out the possibility of the BJP taking over the reins of governance in Karnataka from October 3, accusing the right-wingers in the state of behaving in a boorish manner.

Striking a belligerent note after his son and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy faced criminal charges from his own cabinet colleague, Devegowda rushed back to Bangalore on Thursday morning in a huff calling off his parleys with top BJP leaders, including its president Rajnath Singh.
"I will not resume talks till a congenial atmosphere is created by BJP leaders. The situation is not conducive for talks on power transfer. How can I do that when my son is facing grave charges of attempt to murder that too by a minister of his cabinet," Gowda told reporters here.

Dropping clear hints that JD(S) will not transfer power to BJP on October three, as per the agreement reached earlier, Gowda threw the ball back into the BJP court, saying "till the situation becomes clear there is no point in holding talks on power transfer with BJP national leaders."

"The day when BJP leaders create a healthy atmosphere for such talks, I will go for talks, if BJP leaders like Rajnath Singh, Vajpayee call me," he said.

State Tourism Minister Sriramulu had on September 25 lodged a complaint with Kaul Bazar police station in Bellary alleging that Kumaraswamy was behind a "conspiracy" to eliminate him.

Gowda was in Delhi on Wednesday to meet Rajnath Singh to discuss the power transfer issue. (With inputs from ANI)