Gowda may explore power-sharing

JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda was headed for Delhi amid indications that he would be holding talks with Congress leaders to stitch a new alliance.

After refusing to form government with BJP in Karnataka, JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda was headed for Delhi amid indications that he would be holding talks with Congress leaders to stitch a new alliance.

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Though Gowda's exact mission was not known, sources in the party did not rule out the possibility of his making effort to form a government with Congress.

The former prime minister planned his visit to Delhi soon after his party decided to oppose BJP's Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa in the confidence vote in the assembly on Monday, days after agreeing to form government with the saffron party.

The turnaround came after talks between the BJP and JD(S) failed on Sunday following the former's rejection of its conditions before the floor test.

Deve Gowda is reported to have sent feelers to Congress earlier also for formation of the government in Karnataka.

During his visit in New Delhi last week, he had a meeting with AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Prithviraj Chavan and Parliamentary Affairs Minister PR Dasmunsi but both sides remained tight-lipped on what transpired.

Sources said the former prime minister, whose party had shared power with the Congress till January last year, reportedly agreed to give the chief ministership again to that party.