No end to crisis as rebels stick to their stand

Bangalore, Nov 6 : The political turmoil in the BJP government in Karnataka following the open rebellion by dissident ministers led by 'Reddy brothers from Bellary district, is likely to continue as the party's central leadership, failed to prevail upon the warring factions to come to a compromise.

BJP President Rajnath Singh, opposition leader in the Lok Sabha L K Advani, his deputy Sushma Swaraj, Rajya Sabha member Venkaiah Naidu and party General Secretary Ananth Kumar were still battling to bring about a compromise.

However, the Reddy brothers were steadfast in their demand for the removal of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

The dissident leader and Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy, who was involved in hectic talks with the central leaders, refused to accept the party's decision not to replace the Chief minister.

He had reportedly mobilised over 40 legislators, who were projecting Assembly Speaker Jagadish Shettar as the alternative to Mr Yeddyurappa, and insisting on the party high command to concede their demand.

To put more pressure on the central leadership, the dissident legislators had reportedly resigned and sent the letters to Mr Janardhana Reddy.

The main complaint of the rebels was the 'autocratic' attitude of Mr Yeddyurappa, who never bothered about the elected representatives, and had been ignoring even some of his cabinet colleagues. He was also taking decisions on crucial issues unilaterally without consulting the concerned minister.

The three powerful ministers from Bellary District, who were also mining operators, have stoutly opposed Yeddyurappa's decision to impose Rs 1000 as toll on trucks carrying iron ore. They alleged that when mine operators wanted to donate over Rs 500 crore for construction of houses for those displaced by the recent floods, the Chief Minister opposed it.

Opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, who was also incharge of the party's Karnataka unit, camped here for over three days and tried in vain to find an amicable solution.

The Central leaders, who had summoned leaders of both the factions to New Delhi to hammer out a solution, have so far not succeeded in their mission. They held several rounds of talks with the leaders of the dissident legislators as well as the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Mr Yeddyurappa today ordered transfer of his Principal Secretary and senior IAS officer V P Baligar, one of the several demands of the dissident leaders.

However, it failed to appease the rebels.

The Chief Minister, who has been in New Delhi since the last three days waiting for early solution to the crisis, cancelled the scheduled meeting of the council of ministers today. The meeting of the state cabinet also had to be cancelled at the last minute last week, following rebellion in the government.

Meanwhile, two legislators who were earlier identified with the Reddy brothers changed their stand today.

Speaking to newsmen the two legislators Suresh Marihal and Jagadish Metagudda said 'we are not with dissidents who are seeking change of leadership.' As many as 42 legislators, who were identified with Reddy brothers were camping in Hyderabad, Goa and Indore. They included eight ministers.

The ministers who were demanding the resignation of the Chief Ministers are, Gulihatti Shekhar (Sports), Shivanagouda Naik (Libraries), Balachandra Jarakiholi (Municipal Administration), Anand Asnotikar (Science and Technology), Narendra Swamy (Women and Child Welfare), Shivaraj Thangadagi (Agri Marketing), Sriramulu (Health), G Karunakara Reddy (revenue) and G Janardhana Reddy (Tourism).

The Chief Minister was expected to return here tomorrow to attend a foundation laying ceremony for the construction of houses for the flood victims in Gulbarga district.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
Unauthorised publication of any content from NewKerala.Com is prohibited