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Calendar of dissent

M D Riti in Bangalore

October 3: About 20 Janata Dal MLAs draft a memo to H D Deve Gowda in Delhi, asking him to involve himself more in Karnataka politics, at a hotel in Bangalore.

October 7: Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramiah, longstanding thorn in Chief Minister J H Patel’s flesh, returns from aboard and supporters rally around him.

October 12: Casual debate at state cabinet meeting on possible alterations in ministry and bureaucracy to mollify dissidents.

October 13: Meeting of neutral ministers to discuss modalities for a compromise between Deve Gowda, who has been feeling sidelined, and Patel, who is feeling the heat. Meanwhile, four Dal MLAs go public with their suggestion to oust Patel.

October 15: Senior ministers M P Prakash and M C Nanaiah, both Patel loyalists, meet Deve Gowda in Delhi and ask him to back off. Deve Gowda threatens to visit Karnataka to test his support base.

October 16: Patel declares himself ready for a trial of strength in the assembly. Deve Gowda loyalists respond by demanding that he should face a legislature party vote, as that was how he was elected chief minister.

October 18:Deve Gowda greeted by 3 ministers and 39 Dal MLAs in Bangalore, disparages Dal’s fall in popularity over past two years. Seven MLAs from Hegde’s group declare themselves on the fence at present.

October 20: Patel loyalist ministers publicly declare support for their man, Deve Gowda continues to meet MLAs at his minister son Revanna’s official residence in Bangalore.

October 22: Deadline set by anti-Patel faction, backed by Deve Gowda’s sons, for Patel to address their problems.

October 28: Dal legislature party meeting scheduled, when Patel offers scope to his foes to voice their concerns.

October 29: Early assembly session.

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