Bitter rivals’ face-off today
Yeddyurappa meets Shettar, Ananth; talks likely with Reddys over breakfast
In a first sign of an end to the ongoing political crisis in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday night held discussions with Assembly Speaker Jagdish Shettar.
Yeddyurappa and dissident leader G Janardhana Reddy may come face to face in a meeting to be held here on Thursday.
The Yeddyurappa-Shettar discussion was held at the Taj Palace Hotel.
The two were accompanied by BJP leader H N Ananth Kumar and State BJP president Sadananda Gowda.
The meeting came after Yeddyurappa’s talks with senior central party leaders Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitely following the chief minister’s arrival in the capital.
The hectic political activity that was witnessed on Wednesday is likely to continue on Thursday when a solution to the bitter battle in the BJP is expected to be found.
Meeting with Venkaiah
The day will begin with Naidu hosting a breakfast meeting with the chief minister and all the other senior leaders of the State.
After this, Yeddyurappa will meet veteran party leader L K Advani and BJP chief Rajnath Singh. Yeddyurappa may also meet Reddy in the presence of central leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Yeddyurappa expressed confidence that he would complete five years in office. He asserted that he was ready to talk to the Reddy brothers.
Defiant Reddy
Reddy, however, continued his defiant stand saying his demand for a change of guard stays. Asked whether he would hold a meeting with the chief minister, Reddy quipped: “I have explained everything to Sushma Swaraj. She will convey my views to the central leadership.”
Reddy met Sushma Swaraj , whom be described as “matrushri” (mother), for the fourth time in three days.
Replying to a question from reporters whether he would drop any ministers, Yeddyurappa said : “The question of dropping ministers will be answered only tomorrow (Thursday). Why this hurry? I am confident that this issue will be resolved under the guidance of our central party leaders.”
The chief minister admitted that infighting was hurting the BJP’s image. In future, he would try to avoid a rift in the party.
During his talks with Jaitley and Naidu, the chief minister reportedly presented his case to the central leadership. He was accompanied to Naidu’s house by home minister V S Acharya and Sadananda Gowda.
Sources close to BJP chief Rajnath Singh admitted that the solution to the Karnataka tangle “may still take a longer time than expected” even as senior Congress leader and Union minister Mallikarjun Kharge told Deccan Herald that his party high command has told all state leaders not to dabble in the BJP crisis. “We have been instructed not to talk on this issue,” Congress sources said.
According to Congress sources, if the party tries to take advantage of the situation, there is a possibility of the Janata Dal (Secular) moving closer to the BJP to save the government. “Hence, we are only watching the situation,” the sources added.
Governor’s arrival
Meanwhile, Karnataka governor H R Bhardwaj descended on the capital but was quick to clarify that he was here to attend a family wedding.
The governor said he would not submit any report to the Centre on the Karnataka situation. “I am not worried, but I am anxious. I am keeping a watch on the situation and will act when it is necessary,” he added.
Asked if there was a constitutional crisis in Karnataka, the governor replied in the negative but said that governance was left to the elected government.
