K'taka trust vote: Gowda pleads helplessness

However, he struck an optimsitic note that MLAs would save the Legislature wing and also the secular character of the party.

Having failed to persuade party's rebel MLAs to retrace their steps, JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda on Thursday virtually pleaded helplesness in ending the crisis and asked partymen to "prepare mentally" for developments that would unfold on Friday when the fate of Dharam Singh-led coalition ministry is decided in a trust vote in the assembly.

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In an emotionally-charged address to workers after talks with his rebel son HD Kumaraswamy and MLAs made no headway in breaking the impasse, Gowda told them, "I am in a dilemma now and facing critical moments of my political career."

"I have done my best to save the party. I have sufferred unbearable agony in this task. I don't know what will happen tomorrow. What will happen is God's wish. Be mentally prepared to face it," he said.

Gowda, who alone spoke at the meeting convened to seek partymen's views on the crisis in JD(S) after rebel MLAs withdrew support to the Singh government and declared new alliance with BJP, said he was in the twilight of his political career.

However, he struck an optimsitic note that MLAs would save the Legislature wing and also the secular character of the party.