No love seems to be lost between the former coalition partners -the Congress and the JD (S). In other words, there seems to be no love between the coalition partners-the JD (S) and the BJP.

How else can one explain the bonhomie between leaders of the two parties at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Governor Rameshwar Thakur at Raj Bhavan and the lunch that followed at Banquet Hall in Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday?

After having stayed away from swearing-in ceremonies for long, including that of his chief minister-son H D Kumaraswamy, JD (S) leader H D Deve Gowda’s presence was conspicuous at Raj Bhavan. More so, when he interacted with Congress leaders, had tea with them and totally sidelined BJP leaders.

A handful of BJP leaders, who attended the ceremony, including Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, were almost a non-entity and made a hurried exit soon after the ceremony with none of the JD (S) leaders talking to them.

Congress leaders, who were present in full strength, stayed back and interacted with JD (S) ministers. The mood was that of a get-together of long lost friends. Mr Gowda was of course the centre of attraction.

The bonhomie comes at a time when speculation are rife among political circles that the JD (S)-Congress are renewing their ties, even as JD (S) is scheduled to hand over power to the BJP on October 3.

At the lunch hosted in honour of the new Governor and farewell to Mr T N Chaturvedi at the Banquet hall, Mr Gowda, former chief minister N Dharam Singh and KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge held talks, informally, for nearly half-an-hour, while waiting for the Governor to arrive.

Soon after Mr Gowda arrived at Banquet hall along with his minister sons -- Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and PWD Minister H D Revanna -- his trusted aid YSV Datta guided him towards a table where Mr Singh and Mr Kharge were waiting. Then all three moved to a corner of the hall to engage in a discussion.

When reporters interrupted and queried them about their meet, Mr Gowda, in turn, asked why all their actions are suspected. “You suspect us when we meet for a lunch, at Raj Bhavan and even if we go to a temple,” he sarcastically said.

Asked the reason why no BJP leaders were present at Tea hosted at Raj Bhavan soon after the swearing-in ceremony was conducted, he said he is not aware.

“All BJP leaders went away. Even Mr Yediyurappa went away. I do not know the reason,” he stated.

The only senior BJP minister to be present was Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar. But he remained aloof. Health Minister R Ashok arrived later.

When senior leaders and both the new Governor and his predecessor T N Chaturvedi, joined together to have lunch on a round table, there was nobody to represent the BJP. Leaders at the table either belonged to the JD (S) or the Congress.

Those present were: Mr Gowda, Mr Kumaraswamy, Mr Revanna, Transport Minister Chaluvarayaswamy, Speaker Krishna (all JD-S), Mr Singh, Mr Kharge, H K Patil and the Council Chairman B K Chandrashekar (all Congress).