Crisis in Karnataka JD blows over
Legislative Party meeting on Nov 13
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Nov 4 — With the convening of the meeting of the Janata Dal Legislature Party in Karnataka on November 13, the crisis prevailing in the state unit of the party seems to have blown over.

The warring Karnataka Janata Dal leaders, Chief Minister JH Patel and the former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda today came to an agreement to not only convene the meeting but also to close ranks to defeat the opposition sponsored no-confidence motion in the assembly, which was presently in session.

The Karnataka Chief Minister, who was in the Capital and Mr Gowda, whose supporters have been carrying on with the campaign for the removal of Mr Patel and have also been demanding the convening of the JDLP meeting to settle the leadership issue, held a two-hour long meeting here. Following the meeting at the residence of Mr Gowda, the two leaders apparently came to a decision to close ranks to save the Janata Dal Government in Karnataka.

Talking to reporters here later former union minister and the mediator, Mr SR Bommai said it had collectively been decided that the meeting of the JDLP would take place after the conclusion of the assembly session. He also said that all problems prevailing within the Karnataka JD had been discussed and that the JDLP would meet on November 13 following the conclusion of the assembly session.

According to Mr Bommai, he and Mr Deve Gowda would consult the party legislators, ministers and senior leaders on November 8 and November 9 on the various demands of the dissidents, including the change in the leadership. At this meeting the Janata Dal president, Mr Sharad Yadav, would also be present, Mr Bommai said.

Mr Deve Gowda said the no-confidence motion would be defeated unitedly by the 120 MLAs, including the associated members in the House. The voting on the no trust motion was scheduled for November 6 and the session would end on November 13.

When asked whether the change in leadership issue would be discussed at the JDLP meeting, Mr Gowda replied that all issues would be sorted out during the meeting on November 13.

Later, Mr Patel denied that there was any crisis in the party and added that he was pleased with the outcome of his meeting with the former Prime Minister. According to reports, Mr Sharad Yadav has also shot off a letter to the Karnataka Janata Dal president, BL Shankar and Mr Patel to convene the JDLP meet on November 13.