Karnataka BJP crisis intensifies

New Delhi, Nov 2 : The crisis in the ruling BJP in Karnataka today intensified with the top BJP leadership unable to hammer out a compromise between the warring rebels, who are demanding change of leadership in the state.

Top BJP leaders met at the residence of leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani this evening, after hearing the views of Karnataka Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy claiming the support of 60 of the 118 BJP MLAs in the 224-member state Assembly.

Although the BJP leadership was firm that there would be no change of leadership, they were making efforts to bring about a compromise, informed party sources said.

BJP President Rajnath Singh asserted, while going out of the meeting, that there was 'absolutely no change in the leadership.' Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley remarked that the "situation was under control." Party sources feel that the situation could not be so intense as claimed by the rebel group and the high command was in no mood to concede to their demand. They also feel that the number of supporters, claimed by the rebel leaders, was 'exaggerated'.

The loyalist camp, represented by former Union Minister V Dhanjay Kumar, reaffirmed that there could be no change in the leadership of the BJP Legislature Party but was open for discussion with the rebels, if the Reddy brothers could scale down their demand. He said there could be another round of discussions involving Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Mr Reddy.

The rebel group, however, remained tightlipped, but sources close to the camp indicated that they were very much firm in their demand for the change of leadership. With both sides unrelenting, the party is faced with no other option, but to hold further discussions with the warring groups.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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