From correspondents in Delhi, India, 10:32 PM IST

Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) supremo and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda Sunday joined hands with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati in efforts to topple the UPA government.

Addressing reporters after the Uttar Pradesh chief minister met him at his residence here, Gowda said: 'The smaller parties will be meeting on July 23 to discuss the future programme and plan of action. I want to announce that all our three MPs have unanimously decided to vote against the UPA.'

A smiling Maywati, who went to meet Gowda right after a United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) luncheon meeting, praised the JD-S chief saying that he had been actively working for the farmers' causes.

Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao was also present at the meeting. He was the first to back Mayawati as prime minister.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)