New Delhi, July 9 (UNI) Forgetting their present differences, several erstwhile Janata Party members, now in various political parties in Karnataka, paid their last respects to departed former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar here today.

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) President H D Deve Gowda topped the list of senior politicians from the state who owed their political growth to Chandra Shekhar, the first President of Janata Party at a time when the party was fighting a battle with the Congress government in the state, defeating it electorally for the first time in 1983.

Karnataka Home Minister M P Prakash laid the wreath on the body of the former Prime Minister on behalf of the state government and also handed over a unanimous condolence resolution passed by both the Houses of Karnataka Legislature.

''He was the link with the past and present generations and we all have love and regard for him,'' Mr Prakash said.

Another former Karnataka Minister P G R Sindhya who heads the Trust running Chandrashekhar's Bharat Yatra Kendra in his village of Doddamaralawadi, said the former PM's last wish was to start a women's college in the 20 odd acres of land.

''We will work for fulfilling his wish,'' Mr Sindhya, the Secretary General of rebel JD(S) said.

UNI