BJP hopes JD(S) will transfer power, Sinha seeks to meet Gowda

BANGALORE: The BJP expressed the hope about a smooth transfer of chief ministership from its ruling ally JD(S) in Karnataka as senior saffron leader Yashwant Sinha arrived here in a bid to end the logjam between the two parties over power-sharing issue.

"We are hopeful of smooth transfer of post of Chief Minister from JD(S) to BJP in terms of the agreement. Other parts of the agreement will also be implemented. Our choice for the post is our Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa", Sinha, BJP Vice President, said.

Sinha said he would soon be meeting JD(S) chief and former Prime Minister H D Devegowda. "I propose to seek an appointment with JD(S) supreme Devegwoda and meet him, if he so agreed at a mutually convenient date and time", Sinha, whom BJP President Rajnath Singh rushed to the city to defuse tension between the coalition partners, said.

"I will send a word to Gowda tomorrow who is away from the city today, seeking an appointment with him. I hope what was interrupted in Delhi because of his sudden return could be carried out in Bangalore through this meeting", Sinha said, pointing to Gowda's insistence that he be called for talks by BJP leaders on power transfer.

"It is our firm belief that a solution to a more difficult problem can come out of a dailogue. If we get an opportunity, we can arrive at a mutually satisfactory decision", Sinha said after hectic consultations with leaders of BJP's Karnataka unit Friday and Saturday.