The Hindu : Front Page : Pointers from Gowda

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Pointers from Gowda

S. Rajendran

Bangalore: Sources close to H.D. Deve Gowda told The Hindu tonight that he had a cordial meeting with the Congress president. Earlier in the day, during discussions with Pranab Mukherjee, Ahmed Patel and A.K. Antony, he had stated that what precipitated the crisis was a recent attempt to divide the JD(S). It was obvious that Mr. Deve Gowda wanted certain corrective steps if the coalition arrangement were to continue.

Earlier, Mr. Gowda called on Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat at his home. Mr. Karat told correspondents that the JD(S) chief briefed him on his discussions with the Congress leaders. Asked whether the secular formation would continue in Karnataka, Mr. Karat said that would depend on both the coalition partners.

Sources close to Mr. Gowda said that during his meetings, he mentioned his commitment to secularism and asserted that he wanted to save the Dharam Singh Government.

The trial of strength is scheduled for January 27, and only a clear-cut understanding between the two parties would enable an easy passage for the motion of confidence. The Chief Minister has expressed his confidence that the former Prime Minister's party would stand by him. He conveyed this to the Congress high command, which led to the Congress president deciding to hold the discussions.

In the meanwhile, the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party which is buoyed by the steps taken by Mr Kumaraswamy to foster an understanding between the two parties has said the Dharma Singh led coalition Government would be defeated on the floor of the legislature.

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