PM talks to Deve Gowda; seeksJD-S support

Meanwhile, local JD-S leaders are meeting in Bangalore today to decide on the party's stand on whether to support or oppose the Govt during trust vote on July 22.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday had a telephonic conversation with former prime minister and JD-S chief HD Deve Gowda and sought his party's support to the trust vote in Lok Sabha on July 22.

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"Prime Minister this morning spoke to Gowda over telephone seeking three-member JD-S support to the UPA government during vote of confidence," Karnataka unit JD-S spokesman YSV Datta told reporters in Bangalore.

He, however, said he was not aware of the nature of issues both the leaders discussed during their conversation.

Meanwhile, local JD-S leaders are meeting in Bangalore on Friday to decide on the party's stand on whether to support Manmohan Singh-led government or vote against the motion.

In another development, breakaway faction leader MP Veerendra Kumar has decided to return to JD-S and would attend a meeting of the top party leaders to be held in Delhi on Saturday, Datta said.

Kumar had revolted against Gowda after JD-S joined hands with BJP and formed a coalition government in Karnataka in 2006. Sources in JD-S said Gowda has been pressing for nationalisation of mining activity as a condition to extend support to the UPA government.

Gowda wants to bring controls on the mining lobby which is accused of politically being active, especially in the BJP camp. Two JD-S MLAs recently defected to the BJP.