J D (S) demands 'continued status quo' in Karnataka

New Delhi, Oct 5 (UNI) The talks between BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) chiefs have ended in a stalemate with both sides sticking to their guns at the one to one meeting between the former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and BJP chief Rajnath Singh late tonight.

Both leaders declined to speak after an one and a half hour meeting but JD (S) sources said that the party demanded BJP's continued support the rest of the 20 month term. Under the present agreement, the BJP was to head the coalition from October 3.

All the party ministers have resigned from their posts, while the JD (S) has convened a meeting of Karnataka Legislative Assembly session on October 18.

Earlier, it was officially announced that the two leaders would meet at a mutually agreed place tomorrow ahead of the BJP's Parliamentary Party meeting. The BJP chief said that he could not say anything until the Parliamentary Board was apprised of the matter.

The Parliamentary Board in its meeting yesterday had asserted that the issue of transfer of power to BJP and Chief Ministership to its Karnataka BJP Legislature Party leader B S Yediyurappa was 'non-negotiable' and it would be conveyed to Mr Gowda when the meeting takes place.

(Editors: pls pickup suitably from earlier series).

UNI