Stating that a coalition Government at the Centre was inevitable, he reiterated that the coming elections would only result in a hung Parliament.

``It is not difficult to predict another hung Parliament at the end of the forthcoming polls,'' he said.

The formation of the National Democratic Alliance by the BJP was a clear indication that the party was not confident of getting a majority on its own. The Congress was also in a ``similar position'' with the exit of the Sharad Pawar group, he said. On the possibility of Janata Dal aligning with Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, Gowda said a clear picture of the NCP had not yet emerged and that theJD was keenly watching the developments in the Pawar camp. Another round of discussions between Pawar and the JD president was likely soon, he added.

JD's alliance partners would be decided in the National executive committee meeting of the party to be convened next month in which all state leaders of the party would participate.

On his meeting with AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalitha yesterday, he said it was only a preliminary round of talks and that another discussion was due during the last week of June. The duo had decided to work together in the forthcoming polls, he said.