Yashwanth Sinha to meet Deve Gowda

Bangalore, Sept 30 (UNI) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha, incharge of Karnataka, who is on a mission to remove strained relations between coalition partners JD-S and BJP in the State, will be meeting former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Devegowda in the evening.

BJP Karnataka State President D V Sadanada Gowda told UNI that he spoke to Mr Gowda and he has agreed to meet Mr Sinha.

Confirming the meeting, Mr Yediyurappa told reporters that the resignation letter of Minister for Tourism Sriramulu was sent to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy yesterday itself.

Mr Sriramulu had lodged a criminal complaint with police on September 25, accusing Kumaraswamy of plotting to kill him.

In an attempt to soothen the ruffled feelings of its JD(S) allies, the BJP directed Mr Sriramulu to resign and the Bellary leader promptly put in his papers.

Mr Yediyurappa said a meeting of BJP Ministers would be held at his official residence tomorrow morning, ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for the evening. "It is a routine meeting and no importance could be attached to it," he added.

Replying to a question on power transfer, Mr Yediyurappa shot back saying that "I am not after power. I am for the welfare of people".

Mr Yediyurappa said "if need be", he would also meet Gowda and Kumaraswamy.

UNI