K’taka BJP rebels set July 5 deadline

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BJP MLAs loyal to former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa come out of the residence of state rural

The latest political crisis in Karnataka, triggered by the resignations of nine ministers, is headed for a major showdown on July 5 with supporters of rural development and panchayat raj minister Jagadish Shettar asking the BJP’s central leadership to ease out chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda by that date or face a bigger rebellion that could split the party into two.
Flaunting the faction’s strength, 51 MLAs, seven MLCs and nine MPs, all supporters of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, met at Mr Shettar’s residence Sunday morning and decided to abide by the decision of BSY and Mr Shettar once the deadline lapses.
All of them signed a letter asking the Speaker to make separate seating arrangements for the breakaway faction in the Assembly. In the next three days, the group hopes to get the support of 80 MLAs, the crucial two-thirds mark to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.
The participants claimed other MLAs were in touch with them over the phone and sent fax messages offering support. If the faction’s strength exceeds 80, it could step up pressure on the central leadership, sources said. Mr Yeddyurappa and energy minister Shobha Karan-dlaje skipped Sunday’s meeting.
Besides the nine ministers who resigned Friday, BJP Assembly chief whip Siddu Savadi also attended. The Shettar camp is exploring if the chief whip has the legal option to convene a separate legislature party meeting, sources said.
“If there is no decision by the deadline, we are likely to convene a legislature party meeting. If the number reaches 80, we will choose Mr Shettar as our legislature party leader,” said an MLA. Sources said the BJP parliamentary board might discuss the matter on July 3.