Shadows of uncertainty over the pre-arranged power-shift, which is to take place in Karnakata on October 3, still prevails. With the JD(S) showing clear reluctance to part with the reins of power and hand them over to its coalition partner?the BJP?the power game has just become more interesting.

JD(S) supremo HD Devegowda is expected to hold discussions here with the BJP central leadership on the issue of transition of power in Karnataka, but a distinct lack of trust between the two sides is threatening to end the JD(S)-BJP coalition rule in the state.

There have been indications that the JD(S) is in touch with the Congress leadership for a possible arrangement , which, however, is not finding many takers in the Congress.

Suspicion in the central BJP leadership here has heightened in the backdrop of conflicting statements emanating from JD(S) supremo former prime minister HD Devegowda and his chief minister son HD Kumaraswamy, who have maintained recently that the issue of transition of power has not been decided conclusively yet.

?It is not an issue that is decided at once. We also have a party high command. It has to be debated at it,? Devegowda had said recently. However, he told a press conference on Sunday that he would be holding talks with the BJP leadership on the matter in coming days. The BJP has already announced that deputy chief minister BS Yediyurappa will be taking over as chief minister from Kumaraswamy on October 3.

The BJP ranks in Karnataka have been incensed that the JDS might not honour its part of the agreement, given mixed signals from the JDS. In this context, significance has been attached to Devegowda?s recent utterances that his party will bring under scrutiny whether BJP followed the powersharing pact in the last 19 months.

The power transfer issue came to a boil between the coalition partners, after Yediyurappa embarked upon a string of declarations in public since last month that he would be chief minister in October, an act that caused discomfort to Kumaraswamy. ?What is the urgency to make such remarks? I have not said I will not hand over power. Yediyurappa should have waited till October three?, Kumaraswamy said, snubbing his deputy.

The chief minister, on the other hand, has contended that the people want him to remain in the saddle for the remaining term. ?If people want my continuance, what can I do. Let me see what is going to happen?, Kumaraswamy said.