Will accept any direction issued by BJP leadership: Gowda

With several loyalists of B S Yeddyurappa gunning for his head, Karnataka chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda today said he would accept any "direction" issued to him by the BJP leadership.

 "Right from the beginning I used to say I am a disciplined soldier of the party. Whatever direction my party gives I am prepared to accept it," he told reporters here. His remarks come against the backdrop of nine ministers loyal to Yeddyurappa resigning from the government.

They decided to withdraw their resignation following assurance from the BJP central leadership that their demands will be looked into. When asked whether he would "survive" the crisis, Gowda said he is not an "astrologer" and cannot predict the outcome of the crisis.

"I am not an astrologer or somebody to say anything," he said. Gowda, who is in the capital to attend a meeting of NDA and BJP chief ministers with NDA working chairperson L K Advani, also thanked the rebels for withdrawing their resignations. He is likely to meet BJP top brass to discuss the crisis.