Karnataka muddle lingers on, no solution after 12 days

New Delhi/Bangalore, Nov 6 : Ever since the crisis in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) first government in Karnataka broke out, all major players involved have been saying that solution would be found 'in a day or two' but the standoff continues even after 12 days.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, dissident ministers seeking his removal, party central leaders desparately searching for a compromise have all been very confidently stating that "talks are on, everything will be fine in a day or two". But that "day or two" has dragged on for over 12 days now.

Apparently tired with their day-long efforts for more than a week to narrow down the differences between the warring factions, some of the leaders have let go of their exasperation with the media on their trail from morning till late into the night.

"We can't set a deadline for it," one leader sharply reacted when queried when the turmoil would end.

On possible compromise formulas too, most of the leaders have been economical.

"We can't discuss with the media all these issues," another leader said.

There has been no formal media conference. All interaction with the media has been either when going into a huddle or rushing back to the cars after the exchange of views.

It was last Friday that senior leader Arun Jaitley returned to New Delhi from his three-day efforts in Bangalore to end the crisis. He said then that things would be sorted out "in a day or two" as leaders of the two camps would be visiting New Delhi for talks with central leaders.

Some enterprising reporters, both print and electronic, have tried to catch the leaders during their morning walks. Most of them have succeeded with Yeddyurappa and not with others like the rebel Reddy brothers.

Yeddyurappa has been staying in New Delhi for the past three days and dissident leader Tourism Minister G. Janardhana Reddy for four days.