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Deve Gowda holds key position in K'taka hung assembly
With the election verdict throwing up a fractured assembly in Karnataka, as JD (S) president HD Deve Gowda who holds the key to new government formation kept his cards close to the chest.
With the election verdict throwing up a fractured assembly in Karnataka, as JD (S) president HD Deve Gowda who holds the key to new government formation kept his cards close to the chest.
BJP, which emerged as the single largest party and the JD (S), held separate strategy sessions to cobble up the necessary numbers to cross the magic mark of 113 in the 224-member House.
BJP has already sent party leader and strategist Arun Jaitley who is meeting the newly elected legislators.
Anxious to form the Government, BJP Karnataka unit president Ananth Kumar has indicated that it would try to "chisel out" an alternative non-Congress Government, hinting it was keen on joining hands with JD(S).
Gowda said there was nothing wrong in Congress or BJP wanting to talk to JD (S) but ultimately the party would have to take a decision "taking the overall picture."
BJP has won on 79 assembly seats, with Congress winning 65 seats. JD (S) stands third with 58 seats. JD (U), a BJP ally has won from five assembly constituencies.
Playing it cool so far, Gowda seems to be in no hurry to take an immediate session. The JD(S) state unit president Siddaramaiah has openly expressed himself against joining hands with BJP.
Gowda is meeting his party leaders and legislators at his residence on Friday to hold consultations with them after which he would leave for Delhi later, party sources said.
Perhaps, he would like to watch the developments at the national level too before taking a decision. Party sources said their final decision was unlikely to emerge before Sunday.
