Karnataka may have the Maharashtra model of government. Janata Dal (S) leader H.D. Deve Gowda on Sunday met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to discuss government formation in Karnataka. Sources said they agreed on the Maharashtra model where the single largest party — the Congress — would lead the coalition government. The JD (S) will be part of the coalition government, that will have the post of the deputy chief minister. Though Deve Gowda has reportedly agreed on the Maharashtra formula, he has to get his decision endorsed by party MLAs. The JD (S) Legislature Party meeting has been convened in Bangalore tomorrow where MLAs will be briefed about the decision taken by Sonia Gandhi and Deve Gowda. It remains to be seen whether JD (S) Legislative Party leader H. Siddaramaiah agrees to this formula. He is keen to himself lead the coalition government, sources say. This will be the second legislature meeting of the JD (S) after the election results. Meanwhile, the CLP will also meet tomorrow to elect its leader. Central observers P.M. Sayeed and Vilasrao Deshmukh will attend it. It is learnt that former CM S.M. Krishna may not be elected as the CLP leader since he has already resigned owing moral responsibility for the party’s defeat. Moreover, the JD (S) is averse to supporting a government led by Krishna. According to them, they have fought elections against the Krishna government and also made corruption charges against his government. Cong or BJP: Gowda, Siddaramiah can’t agree EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE BANGALORE, MAY 23: Even before the final decision is taken on government formation in the state, the JD (S), which was expected to play a decisive role, has itself become a troubled house. The party is now facing a severe crisis over which party to choose as its coalition partner — the BJP or the Congress. While JD(S) leader H.D. Deve Gowda favours the Congress, state unit chief and chief ministerial aspirant Siddaramaiah wants to keep the option of an alliance with the BJP open. Since Saturday evening, Siddaramaiah has been holding meetings with party MLAs to muster support for his candidature. If the Congress insists on the Maharashtra pattern, then the option of negotiating with the BJP would be open. Already, Siddaramaiah has held talks with senior BJP leaders. However, Deve Gowda is keeping the cards close to his chest. Gowda, who returned to the city after holding a meeting with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, said that ‘‘all questions regarding coalition and the next government would be answered tomorrow (Monday).’’ Meanwhile, JD(S) national vice-president P. Kodandaramaiah urged the Congress to concede the post of CM to his party and enable the formation of a coalition government. He said that the Congress had lost the mandate of the people. Kodandaramaiah also criticised the Karnataka PCC president Janardhan Poojary, saying that the party would rather sit in the Opposition if it did not get the CM’s post. ‘‘Outgoing CM Krishna has accepted the fact that the people have rejected the Congress in the state. Poojary’s statement only exposes his craving for power,’’ he added.
