A group of about 20 MLAs and ministers on Tuesday raised a banner of revolt against the B.S. Yeddyurappa-led BJP government in Karnataka in a fresh bout of dissidence.
Led by excise minister M.P. Renukacharya, the dissident group comprises disgruntled legislators who either failed to get ministerial berths or are unhappy with the recent Cabinet recast or those eyeing key posts in boards and corporations.
Mr Yeddyurappa was closeted with BJP’s state unit president K.S. Eshwarappa, ministers loyal to him and also met senior RSS functionaries and discussed steps to deal with the situation.
The dissidents, who are set to be away in Tamil Nadu, had switched-off their cell phones and remained incommunicado, as desperate attempts were made to reach out to them.
Mr Eshwarappa chose to put up a brave front, brushing aside suggestions of dissident activities. “There is no dissidence, it’s only rumour.”
He, however, admitted that some legislators who did not get ministerial berths are dissatisfied and discussions would be held with them. The government was not facing instability,” Mr Eshwarappa said.
Tuesday’s developments on dissident activity came even as the BJP government faced land scam allegations in recent days as a spirited Opposition -— the Congress and the JDS — tried to corner Mr Yeddyurappa and the minister for information technology, biotechnology and housing, Katta Subramanya Naidu.
Mr Eshwarappa said an emergent cabinet meeting would be held at 10 am on Wednesday.
He also ruled out any move now against Mr Naidu, facing allegations relating to denotifying of land of Karnataka industrial areas development Board (KIADB) when he was industries minister, saying action would be taken only if charges were proved by court and he was named by Lokayukta.
Meanwhile, leaders of the JDS, under the leadership of state unit president and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, held a meeting in the backdrop of the dissident activity in the BJP.
Talking to reporters separately, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and Congress leader Siddaramaiah called Yeddyurappa a “liar” and “irresponsible” and likened his Cabinet to “Ali Baba and 40 thieves”, in the context of land scam allegations against the government.
“If the chief minister has an iota of respect, he should quit immediately,” Mr Siddaramaiah said. Facing revolt from dissidents from within his party BJP, Mr Yeddyurappa said his ministry faced no problem and he has the strength to face “trial by fire”.
“There is no problem at all,” Mr Yeddyurappa told reporters. “They (the dissidents) are all coming back to my house late at night. I have spoken (to the dissidents) by telephone,” he said.
Asked what demands the dissidents have put forward, the chief minister claimed “they don’t have any demand”.
Mr Yeddyurappa said he has convened a Cabinet meet on Wednesday to take decision on “many important issues”. PTI