JD-S legislators meeting begins in K'taka

Bangalore, Nov 11: The crucial meeting of the Janata Dal (Secular) Legislators meeting began here today to finalise the Deputy Chief Minister Candidate and workout modalities on the eve of the formation of BJP-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka tomorrow.

Party supremo H D Deve Gowda, his sons former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, former PWD Minister H D Revanna attending the Meeting. However, the presence of former Home Minister M P Prakash and his followers Mahadev Prasad and Amaresh Gouda Byapure was surprise to many. The party leadership succeeded in convincing party senior leader from Bellary who had been steadfastly opposing the 'remarriage'.

Heavy parleys was going on to zero in on the Deputy Chief Minister candidate which is probably stay within the Mr Gowda family.

While Mr Kumaraswamy seems to be favourite candidate to take over as the Deputy of B S Yediyurappa who is set to become the first BJP Chief Minister in South India, his elder brother Mr Revanna is the other candidate. JD(S) had also putforth State President Mirajuddin Patel as the third candidate.

Mr Kumaraswmy has been pitchforked by the party legislators who solidly support him for the post.

However, ultimately it will be Party Supremo Deve Gowda who would make the final decision.

Mr Prakash, talking to newsmen separately reiterated that he would not join the new government, however, as legislator he would extend support.

BJP legislators are scheduled to meet in the evening to finalise the agenda for tomorrow's swearing in ceremony in which BJP top leaders including Party National President Rajnath Singh, Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha L K Advani, former Union Minister and Karnataka incharge Yeshwant Sinha among others are expected to arrive here by a charted flight to witness the event.

UNI