Patch-up attempts fizzled out today with dissident leader Deve Gowda dismissing the delegation of Ministers and Legislators sent by J H Patel in a mere two minutes with no promises.

As Ministers trooped out after the meeting, M P Prakash told the waiting media persons that ``as far as we are concerned, the meeting is over''.

Prakash and another senior Minister M C Nanaiah said a showdown was not in the party's interest. Earlier, they had a meeting with Patel.

Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also met the Chief Minister in the morning. The seven senior Ministers who met Gowda are Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, M P Prakash, D Manjunath, M C Nanaiah, C Byre Gowda, P G R Sindhya and Moideen.

Later, Gowda had a meeting with S R Bommai. Two group of Legislators, one pro-Patel and another anti-Patel, met Bommai. Later Bommai toldmediapersons that national president of the party Sharad Yadav would arrive in the night.

Bommai said he would brief Yadav on the developments.

He said he was optimistic of finding an amicable solution to the crisis. Asked whether secret ballot would be used by the JDLP, he said it was left to Yadav.