Political fireworks ignited: Deve Gowda's request that Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh be directed to drop Siddaramaiah, Dr. Mahadevappa and Satish Jharkiholi was granted by Sonia. When this direction from Sonia reaches Dharam, another kind of Operation Demolition will be seen at the State Ministry.

Fortune will smile on M.P. Prakash, who is presently the Revenue Minister, as Deputy Chief Minister, our own G.T. Devegowda (MLA from Hunsur), H.D. Kumaraswamy, son of H.D. Deve Gowda (MLA from Ramanagar) and K.B. Krishnamurthy (MLA from Kadur).

The much - awaited crucial meeting between Congress President Sonia Gandhi and JD (S) supremo H. D. Deve Gowda took place here at Delhi signalling major political developments in Karnataka. When contacted over phone, Deve Gowda told our correspondent that he discussed the recent political developments in the State with the Congress President. "The decision is left to her," he added.

According to reliable sources, the meeting lasted for nearly 45 minutes from 10 am.

The sources said that Deve Gowda suggested to the Congress President to direct Chief Minister Dharam Singh to drop Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ministers Dr. H. C. Mahadevappa and Satish Jharkiholi as the JD (S) was contemplating their expulsion for anti-party activities by participating in the Backward Classes convention at Hubli defying the party's directions.

Sonia Gandhi assured Deve Gowda that she would ask the Chief Minister to drop the Deputy Chief Minister and the other two Ministers after obtaining their resignations.

She reportedly told Deve Gowda that the Congress was not bothered who would be the Deputy Chief Minister. The party's main concern was the survival of the coalition Government.

She told Deve Gowda that he should ensure the survival of the Government, as the Congress was not prepared for mid - term elections.

Deve Gowda assured her that he would prove the support of 50 JD (S) MLAs though 40 was enough for the Government's survival.

According to sources, after the exit of Siddaramaiah, the Revenue Minister M. P. Prakash is likely to be nominated as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Hunsur MLA G. T. Deve Gowda will be inducted into the Cabinet as Revenue Minister, it is learnt. H. D. Deve Gowda's son H.D. Kumaraswamy and Kadur MLA K.B. Krishnamurthy will be inducted into the Cabinet. Deve Gowda has summoned a crucial meeting of JD (S) Legislature Party on July 30 where the new leader will be elected replacing Siddaramaiah.

The sources said that the issue was already discussed with the Chief Minister Dharam Singh who had told Deve Gowda that he was prepared to drop the Deputy Chief Minister and two of his Cabinet colleagues only on the consent of the Congress High Command.

During his discussions with Sonia Gandhi, Deve Gowda also provided to Sonia Gandhi material evidence like newspaper clippings and video clippings of Hubli convention where Congress leaders like Vishwanath and Jalappa had belittled the Congress saying that the party had done nothing for the Backward Classes during the last 50 years.

Siddaramaiah summons aides:
Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has summoned a meeting of MLAs supporting him and other leaders in the wake of JD (S) supremo H. D. Deve Gowda's meeting with Sonia Gandhi.

Siddaramaiah is likely to take a decision to resign from the Cabinet, it is learnt.