Patel, on whom the dissident legislators loyal to former prime minister H D Deve Gowda continued to mount pressure to quit, postponed the JDLP meeting, citing the Cauvery river authority meet in Delhi on October 28 as the reason.Gowda, who, openly identifying with the dissidents, had yesterday severely criticised Patel over his style of functioning, today did not rule out the possibility of meeting the chief minister.

After prolonged confabulations with his supporters, Gowda said he was still assessing the situation.

Law and information minister M C Nanaiah, who met Gowda on a mediatory mission, told media persons that Gowda had agreed for a meeting with Patel after holding discussions with dissident legislators. He said he impressed upon Gowda the needto sort out the differences and that nothing should be done to weaken the Janata Dal.

Meanwhile, Patel denied Gowda's charge that he was hobnobbing with the BJP and trying to remain in power with its support. ``It is not true. I can't think of it,'' he said and urged gowda ``to find out the truth''.

The Karnataka Chief Minister today denied former Deve Gowda's charge that he had colluded with the Bharatiya Janata Party and was helping its leaders.Patel told reporters here that the allegation, ``is not true and I can't think of it''.

The Chief Minister asked Gowda to find out the truth for himself, adding Gowda must have been misled on the issue.

Asked to react to Gowda's charge that he was prepared to accept support from any quarter for his survival, he said he only replied to a question by newspersons who asked him whether he was willing to take support from other parties by saying, ``If anyone wants to support me, let them''.

Gowda yesterday lambasted Patel for his style of functioning and accusedhim of being Opposition-friendly and ignoring Janata Dal legislators.Meanwhile, senior JD leader and former Union minister S R Bommai, began consultations among top leaders to hammer out a solution to the political crisis in the State.

Bommai, in the midst of discussions with Patel, told reporters that he was hopeful of ending the impasse with a `smooth solution'.

Asked what the basis for his confidence was, he said he was optimistic that JD members in the State would act in accordance with party principles and help in finding a solution.

Bommai said soon after his arrival here last night, he had a telephonic talk with Gowda but refused to divulge details. The former JD president said he would consult senior leaders and party members today.