Gowda refuses patch-up as rebels insist on secret ballot

As Ministers trooped out after the meeting, M P Prakash told the waiting media persons that 8220;as far as we are concerned, the meeting is over8221;.

Prakash and another senior Minister M C Nanaiah said a showdown was not in the party8217;s interest. Earlier, they had a meeting with Patel.

Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also met the Chief Minister in the morning. The seven senior Ministers who met Gowda are Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, M P Prakash, D Manjunath, M C Nanaiah, C Byre Gowda, P G R Sindhya and Moideen.

Later, Gowda had a meeting with S R Bommai. Two group of Legislators, one pro-Patel and another anti-Patel, met Bommai. Later Bommai toldmediapersons that national president of the party Sharad Yadav would arrive in the night.

Bommai said he would brief Yadav on the developments.

He said he was optimistic of finding an amicable solution to the crisis. Asked whether secret ballot would be used by the JDLP, he said it was left to Yadav.