Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday told party president Sonia Gandhi and others in the AICC that the party rank and file in Karnataka was against any truck with Janata Dal (Secular) and was understood to have secured an assurance that the party would not go for an alliance with the JD (S).

Party sources noted that the Karnataka leader was assured that he would be given a position of responsibility shortly and that the state unit may be revamped.

Siddaramaiah, was guarded while speaking to reporters on his meetings with the AICC leaders. “I conveyed my impressions of the current political situation in Karnataka.  I also told them, including Mrs Gandhi, that the party rank and file was opposed to any deal with the JD (S). I also told them that the current situation may lead to elections in February, 2008. I was told that the party and rank and file should be prepared to face the election,” he said. Asked whether there was any assurance from Mrs Gandhi over his own position in the party, Siddaramaiah, said he did not ask any thing for himself but added that he reiterated to them that his followers should be given tickets in the next elections.

Responding to a question as to why he came to Delhi when the Prime Minister was in Bangalore, the former deputy chief minister pointed out that his appointments were fixed a week ago. “The Prime Minister’s address to the party workers was not fixed then and his visit was only about the Vidarbha package. Hence, I sought appointments here. I agree that I should have been there when the Prime Minister was to address Congress workers,” he added.

Asked about the purpose of his visit to Delhi, he said it was to strengthen the party. “I have no specific agenda,” he added.

Responding to another question over speculation that he may join Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) as there was a growing feeling that the was being sidelined in the Congress, Siddaramaiah said it was baseless. He told the party president that he was in Congress “on a long haul” and that there was no question of him quitting the party. He also mentioned that BSP founder Kanshi Ram had invited him to join the party a decade ago but he had rejected the offer.

Asked  to review the current political situation in the State, Siddaramaiah said it looked like the JD (S) may not want to hand over power to the BJP.

“However, if it feels that it will antagonise the Lingayats if they don’t hand over power to the BJP, there may be a change over. But then, this arrangement may not live longer. Interestingly, although the BJP is claiming that there will be transfer of power, the Chief Minister has not said  so  anywhere,” he added.