Anti-Gowda lobby may back Patel

It may be recalled that Patel had also joined I K Gujral, S Jaipal Reddy, S R Bommai and Surendra Mohan in opposing moves for the use of Article 356 in Bihar while the Gowda-Paswan-Sharad Yadav group had supported them.

These leaders fear a split in Karnataka will be on the cards if Patel does not quit voluntarily but as indicated by him fights to the finish. The Chief Minister, they point out, has said that he is prepared to prove his majority in the Assembly.

Party chief Sharad Yadavsought to downplay the convulsions in the State unit saying that a way out of the crisis would be found. Asked if he was satisfied with the performance of the Patel Government in the wake of the dissidents’ complaint that issues relating to the people were not being addressed, he said that the issue was more of preserving the party’s unity.

He said that he was in touch with partymen from the State and had spoken to Gowda too. He added that he would also be speaking to State unit chief B L Shankar.

"Gowda will speak to Patel and a way out will be found,” he said.Asked if the Central leadership would be sending observers to the State, Yadav said he would await the meeting between Patel and Gowda in Bangalore in the next couple of days.