Agencies
Bangalore, Oct 1: Allow Kumaraswamy to continue as chief minister — this is what JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda reportedly told BJP trouble-shooter Yashwanth Singh during a meeting on Sunday.
Comparing his party’s performance with that of the BJP in the ULB polls, Gowda said the people’s mandate reflected Kumaraswamy’s soaring popularity — especially earned through his village-stays and janata darshans.
In the meeting that lasted over 45 minutes, Gowda and Sinha failed to reach an understanding on the power transfer issue, sources said. Sinha plans to hold another round of discussions with Gowda.
Emerging out of the meeting, which lasted for 40 minutes, Mr Sinha told newspersons here that both the parties presented their respective views on the issue and decided to meet again.
Sinha said one more round of talks might take place after he discussed the views of JD(S) with senior party leaders, including L K Advani and Party President Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
Declining to specify a date for the next meeting, Sinha said ''if need be, I will meet again.'' Mr Gowda, who was also present, said he would discuss with his party leaders about the issues raised by the BJP during the meeting.
"We discussed many issues and may meet once again for another round of talks,'' he added.
While pressing for Kumaraswamy’s continuance, Gowda also suggested to the BJP pointsman to put the power transfer issue on the back burner for a few more days, maybe till November, with signs of Lok Sabha polls being imminent.
Gowda has convened the party’s state executive committee meeting on Tuesday and national executive meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The See-saw of Karnataka Politics: