Sonia rebuffs grumbling Gowda

NEW DELHI/BANGALORE: JD(S) president H.D. Deve Gowda on Tuesday met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and reportedly unfolded his plans to divest deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah of the legislature party leadership.
But she told him that it is "your party���s internal matter".
Gowda, who has decided to go on the offensive against Siddaramaiah after Sunday���s Hubli convention, is said to have urged Sonia not to encourage any possible overtures by the deputy CM to join the Congress.He wanted an explanation to be sought from Congressmen who attended the convention.
Sources told The Times of India that Sonia was clear in her position: no commitment can be given on admitting JD(S) members to the Congress. Such decisions would be taken in consultation with the state units. Those who believed in the Congress ideology are welcome.
During his outpouring before Sonia, Gowda is also learnt to have made his stand clear that his support to the coalition government hinges on the continuance of N. Dharam Singh as chief minister. "I am not going to support any other person as CM,"he is reported to have said.
But he had a few complaints against the CM. They pertained to the delay in appointment of chairpersons to boards and corporations and related issues.
Sources said Gowda held another round of meeting with Sonia late on Tuesday night. Details were not available, but it has given room for speculation. Questions are being asked about the need for Gowda to meet Sonia again. Prior to her meeting with Gowda, Sonia consulted a few Congress leaders from Karnataka on Monday night. She is said to have got a feedback on the Hubli convention.
JDLP meeting: With Siddaramaiah remaining non-committal on fixing a date for a JDLP meeting, there is a move to get JD(S) MLAs petition for the meeting and ensure it takes place on July 30.
"The party has not appointed a JDLP deputy nor secretary nor whip. The memorandum has to be submitted to the party president," sources said.