Gowda is learnt to have indicated in the meeting that standing by the Left is more advantageous than supporting the UPA. Gowda, sources said, is of the view that the Congress has less chances of returning to power in the coming elections. So is the case with the BJP also. The emerging third front has bright chances.

He is learnt to have said that meeting Singh will be of little use, politically, as the prime minister never deals with the political affairs.

The JD(S) has three members in the Lok Sabha: Gowda himself, M Shivanna and M P Veerendra Kumar from Kerala.

Shivanna is learnt to have favoured supporting the Congress during the trust vote. He was of the view that having a tie-up with the Congress during Lok Sabha elections would benefit the JD(S). 

The speculation that JD(S) has demanded the nationalisation of mines (to tame Bellary Reddy brothers of the BJP) in return to voting in its favour, also came up for discussion at the senior leaders’ meeting. Gowda is learnt to have said that the Congress will not be able to nationalise mines. It is true with any party that comes to power at the Centre, he reportedly remarked.