BJP tightlipped about Karnataka developments

New Delhi, Sep 27 (UNI) The BJP today chose to react with caution over Janata Dal (Secular) president H D Deve Gowda choosing to skiping his scheduled meetings on transfer of power in Karnataka to the BJP leadership following complaints filed by a BJP minister against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the meetings were scheduled to be held between Mr Gowda and BJP Vice President Yashwant Sinha, who is also incharge of Karnataka affairs, and later with Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and BJP president Rajnath Singh. The JD(S) is to transfer the Chief Ministership to BJP on the completion of 20 months in office on October three.

"The BJP is watching the situation and right now its concern is to face the local body elections which are being held tomorrow," he said.

As soon as the party heard about Mr Gowda skipping his meetings, the office bearers who met to discuss the Rama Sethu issue ahead of their meeting with president Pratibha Patil briefly discussed the issue where Mr Sinha apprised the leaders of his perception.

The leaders also avoided questions on Karnataka at Rashtrapati Bhawan after their meeting with the President on Ram Sethu issue.

On reaching Bangalore, Mr Gowda told reporters that the relationship between the two coalition partners was not conducive for holding talks. He, however, did not totally rule out talks with the BJP leadership providing a scope for settlement.

Asked whether his party was still hopeful of the transfer of power, he said there was no 'categorical no' from the JD(S) on the issue.

UNI