Saturday, August 6 2005 15:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Convenor and JDU (Janata Dal United) leader George Fernandes today (Aug 6, 2005) met sacked Deputy Chief Minister and JDS (Janata Dal Secular) rebel leader Siddaramaiah in an apparent move to wean him away to his party in the State.

After the meeting, Fernandes declined comments on the nature of discussions he had with Siddaramaiah, who was sacked as Deputy Chief Minister by Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh yesterday (Aug 5, 2005), capping weeks of turmoil in the JDS, the Congress' ruling coalition partner.

"He (Siddaramaiah) is a wise person. He knows what exactly needs to be done in a certain situation," Fernandes said to repeated queries if he invited him to join JDU.

Asked if he gave any political advice to Siddaramaiah, Fernandes said he had "complete faith" in Siddaramaiah's capacity to do "right things at the right time". He insisted that he called on Siddaramaiah, who has a ligament tear in his leg, to enquire about his health.

On Siddaramaiah defying the diktat of JDS supremo H D Devegowda not to attend the convention of backward classes, Dalits and minorities at Hubli recently, he said, "He always does the right things."

Siddaramaiah's attendance at the rally where he was projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate had invited the anger of Gowda who hit back at him with his party removing him as JDS Legislature Party leader and as Deputy Chief Minister.

Asked about the BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) offer to JDS to form an alternative Government in the event of collapse of the Congress-JDS coalition Government, Fernandes said a judgement could not be given before such a situation developed.

At a press conference, Siddaramaiah ruled out joining any other party and said Fernandes' meeting with him was a "courtesy call" as he knew him for the last 25 years and their relations had socialist roots. "I respect him very much."