Gowda returns to Bangalore without meeting BJP leadership

New Delhi, Sep 27 (UNI) The transfer of power between Janata Dal (Secular) and BJP in Karnataka seems to have run into rough weather with JD(S) president and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda returning to Bangalore without meeting the BJP leadership.

JD(S) sources said Mr Gowda returned to Bangalore irked by local development in Karnataka where the workers of the BJP and JD(S) clashed in connection with local body election.

The sources also said Mr Gowda will hold a media briefing any time now.

Mr Gowda arrived here last evening amid speculation that he would meet top BJP leaders to discuss the issue of transfer of power in Karnataka on October 3 when his party is expected to hand over the Chief Ministership to the coalition partner BJP.

The JD(S) remained tightlipped about Mr Gowda's plans but he had gone on record saying that he would be meeting BJP leaders in Delhi.

But yesterday, BJP sources denied possibility of any meeting as BJP president Rajnath Singh and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani were not in the Capital.

They said the meeting could take place only this morning.

The BJP sources had said that they expected no problems in transfer of power from the JD(S) on completion of its 20-month rule.

UNI