145;JDS must lead Karnataka govt146;

When his attention was drawn to reports that there were differences within the party over going with the BJP, Gowda asserted that no party could split the JD-S.

Gowda, along with JDS LP leader and chief ministerial candidate Siddaramaiah, P.G.R. Sindhia and M.P. Prakash is leaving for New Delhi tomorrow to convey his party8217;s decision to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The former PM refused to comment on the reactions of the state Congress leaders, stating that whatever he has to say will be conveyed to Sonia. 8216;8216;Our demand is not unreasonable, the Congress has lost the popular mandate of the people,8217;8217; Gowda said appealing to the Congress not to impose Maharashtra or J-K model of government. Asked what would be his party8217;s stand in case the Congress did not give up its claim for the CM8217;s post. 8216;8216;We are not power hungry but only wanted to prevent the communal BJP coming to power,8217;8217; he said.

In the 224-member House, the BJP emerged the single largest party by securing 79 seats in the recent Assembly elections, followed by Congress with 65 and JD-S with 58. Meanwhile, a rally was organised in the city by the Kuruba community, demanding that Siddaramaiah be made the next CM. Traffic in some of the main thoroughfares were disrupted following the rally.