Karnataka: No word from Centre, but BJP still hopeful

It was a disappointing day for Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Karnataka, whose hopes about the President's rule in the state being finally lifted were dashed when the Union Cabinet made no such recommendation.

BJP leaders are also worried about the conditions laid down by Janata Dal – Secular supremo Deve Gowda for the government formation.  

Sources in the BJP said that there should be no problem with the conditions given by Gowda and are hopeful of working out a deal through negotiations.

Sources added that Gowda may be flexible about some of the conditions.

BJP sources said that the formation of the government will take at least one more week  as several formalities needed to be completed before that.

The party is confident that the Union Cabinet will eventually recommend lifting President's rule to facilitate government formation in the state.

Meanwhile, senior JD-S leader M P Prakash met Karanataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur on Friday but refused to divulge the details about the meeting.

Some JD-S leaders are currently in Kolkata and they are expected to hold discussions with local CPI-M leaders. Sources close to Gowda said that in case a third front is formed at the behest of the CPI-M, the JD-S will definitely join it as the party would prefer to maintain equal distance from both the Congress and the BJP.