Top BJP leaders tonight grappled with the crisis in Karnataka as a reported compromise formula which includes the axing of controversial Rural Development Minister Shoba Karandlaje showed signs of emerging as the basis for negotiations with dissidents.

But at the end of a day of hectic rounds of discussions to resolve the stalemate, it was not clear whether the dissidents, led by Reddy brothers, were in any mood to accept a compromise and give up their demand for the removal of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

After a meeting of top leaders at the residence of L K Advani, the Chief Minister gave up his plans to return to Bangalore and instead stayed back for consultations to end the crisis.

Party President Rajnath Singh who also met with his top colleagues declared that the question of removal of Yeddyurappa was not negotiable, while Reddy rebuffed his attempt to reach out to them saying "we will not meet the Chief Minister at all".

Party sources spoke of a formula under which Karandlaje, whose continuance in the Cabinet has been strongly opposed by the Reddy brothers, will be removed and bringing in Assembly Speaker Jagdish Shettar into the Cabinet.

The transfer of Chief Minister's Principal Secretary P V Baligar is also another sop being considered to placate the dissidents, they said.

Sources said that the Central BJP leaders may come out with the formula tomorrow in the presence of Reddy brothers and the Chief Minister.

Singh and Advani are yet to give an audience to Reddy. Advani met Yeddyurappa along with senior party leaders M Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Ananth Kumar for working out a solution.

At the end of the meeting, Naidu said the crisis will be resolved in a day or two.

"The party is of the view that we will be able to positively conclude the discussions and there will be a happy end to the present situation so that the government will be able to function effectively and carry on the mandate given to the party by the people of Karnataka," Naidu told reporters.

In an effort to resolve the crisis stalking the first BJP government in the South, top party leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Ananth Kumar held a series of meetings among themselves and with Janardhana Reddy.

Janardhana Reddy parried questions on whether the reported compromise formula was acceptable to him.

"Why are you asking me this? Why should I meet him? I will not meet the CM at all," he shot back at reporters when asked whether he was going to meet the Chief Minister.

Reddy, who has been camping here for last three days, said he has met all the senior party leaders, including Rajnath Singh, and explained to them in detail "what I have been saying for the past five-six days."

Mentioning all the leaders, including Advani by name, Reddy expressed the hope that the party high command would take a "very, very good decision" in the interest of the state, party and development.

He voiced confidence that the party would provide "good leadership" to the state.

Reddy, along with his brother Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy has been spearheading campaign against the Chief Minister.

Earlier Yeddyurappa sought to reach out to the dissidents, saying he was "trying his level best" to meet Janardhana Reddy and his brother Karunakara Reddy.

The party leaders said to have told him that his public comments against the Chief Minister were not acceptable.