Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the meeting with former prime minister HD Deve Gowda before the Cabinet formation was not politically motivated.  

The chief minister reacted to Hassan BJP MLA Preetham J Gowda's allegation that party workers are upset with his meeting with Deve Gowda. 

Bommai said, "Preetham Gowda is my young friend. He spoke in excitement. No politics was discussed with Deve Gowda. I met all officer bearers of Hassan. There should be no need for doubt. I'll take my party workers & MLAs in confidence & protect their interests". 

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Preetham Gowda claimed that the party workers have been asking why CM Basavaraj Bommai had to meet Deve Gowda (ex-PM & JDS leader) before constituting the Cabinet. He also asked what message was being sent to the party leaders. 

Preetham Gowda further said that he would take up the issue with the chief minister. 

Last week, amidst talks of allocation of ministerial berths to MLAs, Basavaraj Bommai called on the former prime minister and JDS supremo HD Deve Gowda at later's residence.

Bommai's father, SR Bommai and HD Deve Gowda were the tallest leaders of Janata Dal (JD). The party was formed after the collapse of Janata Parivaar. Before joining BJP in 2008, Bommai was elected as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council twice (in 1998 and 2004) from Dharwad local authorities constituency. He served as a political secretary to then Chief Minister JH Patel.