Siddaramaiah to meet Sonia before July 15, to decide AIPJD stand

Bangalore, Jul 4 (UNI) Former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and All India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) leader Siddaramaiah has received an invitation from the Congress for holding second round of talks with party President Sonia Gandhi about his joining the Congress.

AIPJD sources told UNI, Mr Siddaramaiah, who had held first round of talks with Ms Gandhi last week, had received the invitation, but the date had not been fixed yet. ''It may be before July 15.'' AIPJD president C M Ibrahim said a two-member Committee has been formed, with former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and himself as members, to take a final decision on whether the group should merge with a political party or float a separate party to uphold secularism.

It may be recalled that Congress leaders in Karnataka, including former Chief Minister N Dharam Singh, wanted Mr Siddaramaiah to join the Congress to fight against ''communal forces and put an end to family rule''.

Mr Ibrahim did not rule out the possibility of Mr Siddaramaiah joining the Congress.

''We cannot rule out the possibility...May be all the nine suspended JD(S) Legislators will join the Congress or float a separate party and support a secular party,'' he added.

UNI MSP GD PA HT1705