BJP discusses Karnataka unit's problems inconclusively

New Delhi, Dec 11 (UNI) The BJP leadership held an 'inconclusive meeting' with Karnataka leaders for over two hours in an effort to resolve the problems concerning the election for the Presidentship of the state unit.

The meeting held at the chambers of party president Rajnath Singh was attended by former party president M Venkaiah Naidu, Bal Apte and state BJP incharge Thavar Chand Gehlot while Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, State Planning Minister Ramachandra Gowda and former union minister Ananth Kumar were present. The leadership also held separate consultations with the leaders, sources said.

Although no formal decision has been announced, the party as well as the RSS is likely to favour continuance of the incumbent President in view of the party scheduled to take over the Chief Ministership in the BJP-Janata Dal coalition for the final 18 months of the Assembly's five-year tenure in less than a year. The party doesn't want troubles on hand ahead of its turn to head the BJP-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition. The Ananth Kumar group is opposed while the Yediyurappa group is pumping for Mr Sadananda Gowda's continuance.

There will be one more round of discussions tomorrow where a decision is expected to be taken. However, the announcement may be reserved to be finally made in Bangalore.

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