BANGALORE: On a day of rapid political developments, moves towards the formation of an alternative government in the State, with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (Secular) as partners, were made. The developments come two days before the commencement of the session of the State Legislature.

Among the top BJP leaders who rushed to New Delhi for talks with party President Rajnath Singh and others were State unit President Jagadish Shettar, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly B.S. Yediyurappa, and former State unit President K.S. Eshwarappa.

According to reports reaching here, Mr. Rajnath Singh is quoted as having said that political developments in Karnataka have been taken note of and a final decision will be taken. Janata Dal (S) President H.D. Deve Gowda returned from New Delhi this evening.

There is no change in the public stand of the two parties. For the Janata Dal (S), the BJP is still a communal party and its tie-up with the Congress in the State is to uphold secularism. For public consumption, the BJP is saying that it sees no difference between the Congress and the Janata Dal (S).

However, it has to be mentioned that at one point in recent months, Mr. Yediyurappa had almost announced joining hands with the Janata Dal (S). .

The Janata Dal (S) leader in touch with the BJP is H.D. Kumaraswamy, son of Mr. Deve Gowda and State unit Working President of the party. Sources say the Janata Dal (S) is for heading an alternative coalition with Mr. Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister.

However, he is far junior in politics to a few leaders in the party. A former MP from Kanakapura, Mr. Kumaraswamy has been elected for the first time to the Legislative Assembly from Ramanagara in Bangalore Rural district.

The other arrangement being worked out is said to be on the Jammu and Kashmir model. The Janata Dal (S) will head the Government in the first half of the remaining 40-month term of the 12th Legislative Assembly and the BJP the second half (20 months). Mr. Kumaraswamy is stated to enjoy the loyalty of a majority in the 59-member JD (S) group in the Legislative Assembly.

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