Sadananda Gowda likely to continue as Karnataka BJP chief

New Delhi, Nov 24 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today called on top BJP leaders to discuss the political atmosphere in the state and said the national leadership would finalise their decision about the continuance of Mr Sadananda Gowda as the BJP Chief for a three year term on November 26.

Accompanied by state cabinet colleagues Mr D H Shankaramurthy and Jagadish Shettar, Mr Yediyurappa called on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Leader of Opposition in Parliament L K Advani and BJP President Rajnath Singh.

The Deputy Chief Minister indicated that there was absolute unanimity in the state in favour of Mr Gowda's continuance as party President and the Central decision would be known once the election for Mr Rajnath Singh as national President becomes a formality on Sunday.

As far as the election formality was concerned elections in 26 of the 33 districts were over and elections in the districts of Hassan, Mandya and Kodagu districts would be over in the next few days. The state can elect its President without any hitches, he said.

He said he would proceed to Mysore to campaign for Janata Dal (Secular) nominee in Chamundeshwari Assembly byelection. The BJP would work for the success of the ruling combination and defeat Congress nominee and former Deputy CM Siddarmaiah, he said.

On the coalition with the J D (S), he said it was working very well and both parties had understood the need to work unitedly and honour the verdict of the people. "We have absolutely no problem and are working for making the government a success", he said.

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