Gowda's meeting with Sonia inconclusive
by Maya Singh

    New Delhi: Janata Dal (Secular) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday evening and briefed her about the political crisis in Karnataka. Emerging out of the nearly 30-minute-long meeting, some JD-S leaders said that the meeting had remained 'inconclusive', and that another meeting could take place later. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Congress General Secretary Ahmed Patel were also present at the meeting between the two leaders held at Sonia Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence in the capital.

    Earlier, Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Prakash Karat had also met Deve Gowda at the latter's residence here. Deve Gowda, who arrived here this morning to discuss the latest political developments in Karnataka in the wake of the split in the Janata Dal (Secular), had apparently refused to meet Pranab Mukherjee initially to sort out his party's issues with the Congress, saying that he wanted a one-to-one meeting with Sonia Gandhi. A belligerent Gowda believes that Congress leaders have humiliated him and his party over the last 18 months. Defending his son H D Kumaraswamy over the JD(S) split, Deve Gowda had on Monday said that Kumaraswamy was trying to save the party. On January 18, JD (S) rebels under the leadership of Kumaraswamy, had 'split' his party and called on Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi and submitted a letter withdrawing support to the coalition government led by Chief Minister N.Dharam Singh. Kumaraswamy said then that he had the support of the BJP. Hours after that declaration, Deve Gowda wrote to Governor Chaturvedi not to accept Kumaraswamy`s letter, saying his son was neither authorized by the party nor was he the leader of the legislature group.

   The Speaker has recognized Prakash as the JDSLP leader after the party sacked former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the post, following his revolt against Gowda last year. With 79 MLAs of BJP and 46 MLAs of JD(S) supporting him, Kumaraswamy was all set to become the next CM. The Governor of Karnataka T N Chaturvedi, however, later gave incumbent CM Dharam Singh a week's time to prove his majority, a move vehemently opposed by the BJP. The state governor has given time till January 27 to allow Dharam Singh to prove his majority in the Karnataka State Assembly. Rebel legislators belonging to the JDs have ruled out any patch up to return to the Congress fold. Kumaraswamy, who has joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form an alternative government in the state, ruled out his return to the parent party. Lashing out at the Congress, he said it is only interested in gaining political mileage by sticking on to its secularist ideology. "I think Congress is the benefited party by telling (people that they are) protecting secularism. The Congress party always distracts secularists. I don't want to stick on for this secularism ideology or communalism ideology. I want to help the poor people and lift them from their problems," he told reporters in Goa.

     Meanwhile, the BJP is confident that it will form the next coalition government in the state. "(H.D.) Kumaraswamy is a very firm man. Once if he takes a decision, he will follow it and today also I spoke to him and he told me definitely we will together form a government. In fact, he spoke to his father, he is not willing, will try to convince him," said senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, B.S. Yediurappa. The Congress- JD (S) alliance government in Karnataka came to power in 2004 elections, which threw up a fractured verdict. The BJP with its ally Janata Dal-United emerged as the largest group with 82 seats but fell short of a majority in the 224 strong state legislature. The Congress had finished second with 64 seats and the Janata Dal (Secular) got 57 seats. State chief Dharam Singh had earlier scotched rumors of any split with the JD (S).

CPI(M) chief Prakash Karat meets Deve Gowda

     New Delhi: Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Prakash Karat is meeting with Janata Dal- Secular supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda at latter's residence. Deve Gowda, who arrived here this morning to discuss the latest political developments in Karnataka in the wake of the split in the Janata Dal (Secular), apparently refused to meet Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee to sort out his party's issues with the Congress before a scheduled meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Gowda seems to be in belligerent mood about his strategy. He believes that Congress leaders have humiliated him and his party over the last 18 months. On being asked whether he had received any formal invitation from Congress party president Sonia Gandhi for talks in this regard, the former Prime Minister replied in the negative, adding that he would meet her whenever he gets the offer. Meanwhile, internal sources said that Sonia has refused to meet Gowda.

    Defending his son HD Kumaraswamy over the JD(S) split, Deve Gowda had on Monday said that Kumaraswamy was trying to save the party. On January 18, JD (S) rebels under the leadership of Kumaraswamy, had 'split' his party and called on Governor T N Chaturvedi and submitted a letter withdrawing support to the coalition government with the support from the BJP. Hours after that, Gowda wrote to the Governor not to give credence to Kumaraswamy`s letter, saying his son was neither authorized by the party nor was he the leader of the legislature group. Gowda said M.P. Prakash continued to be the leader of the JD - S legislature group. The Speaker has recognized Prakash as the JDSLP leader after the party sacked former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the post, following his revolt against Gowda last year. With 79 MLAs of BJP and 46 MLAs of JD(S) supporting him, Kumaraswamy was all set to become the next CM. The Governor of Karnataka T N Chaturvedi, however, later gave incumbent CM Dharma Singh a week's time to prove his majority, a move vehemently opposed by the BJP.

Dharam Singh says Gowda will meet Sonia

     Bangalore/Delhi/Panaji: Even as former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief H.D.Deve Gowda is busy setting the ground work for his likely interaction with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi, Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh said on Tuesday that efforts were on to facilitate the meeting to end the political crisis in the state. Forty-six legislators led by HD Kumara Swamy, son of Deve Gowda and working president of JD(S) had rebelled against his father, a former Prime Minister, who heads JDs and are currently holed up in the neighbouring Goa, fearing the Congress might attempt to lure his men. The state governor has given time till January 27 to allow Dharam Singh to prove his majority in the Karnataka State Assembly. "Deve Gowda and Madam (Sonia Gandhi) have taken a decision that in Karnataka to prevent the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) from entering the state. (HD Deve) Gowda, Praful Patel, Antony and Pranab Mukherjee when they meet madam ji (Sonia Gandhi) they will assess the political situation and whatever decision they take then, as a true Congressman I will abide by it," Singh told reporters in Bangalore. Rebel legislators belonging to the JDs have ruled out any patch up to return to the Congress fold. Kumaraswamy, who has joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form an alternative government in the state, ruled out his return to the parent party. Lashing out at the Congress, he said it is only interested in gaining political mileage by sticking on to its secularist ideology. "I think Congress is the benefited party by telling (people that they are) protecting secularism. The Congress party always distracts secularists. I don't want to stick on for this secularism ideology or communalism ideology. I want to help the poor people and lift them from their problems," he told reporters in Goa.

    Meanwhile, the BJP is confident that it will form the next coalition government in the state. "(HD) Kumaraswamy is a very firm man. Once if he takes a decision, he will follow it and today also I spoke to him and he told me definitely we will together form a government. In fact, he spoke to his father, he is not willing, will try to convince him," said senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, BS Yediurappa. The Congress- JD (S) alliance government in Karnataka came to power in 2004 elections, which threw up a fractured verdict. The BJP with its ally Janata Dal-United emerged as the largest group with 82 seats but fell short of a majority in the 224 strong state legislature. The Congress had finished second with 64 seats and the Janata Dal (Secular) got 57 seats. State chief Dharam Singh had earlier scotched rumors of any split with the JD (S).

Back to Headlines                  Go To Top