BJP wants Oppn to debate on scams in legislature session

The BJP central leadership had deployed its leaders including Arun Jaitley to guide Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and his team on ways to take on the belligerent Congress and JD-S during the session.

Jaitley, who arrived here yesterday, was joined by Dharmendra Pradhan, in-charge of Karnataka affairs, General Secretary Anantkumar, state unit party president K S Eswarappa and others to evolve strategies to counter the opposition which have been making allegations of corruption and land scams against the Yeddyurappa government.

Jaitley said the Core Group debated on the prevailing political situation and the BJP's prospects in the on-going panchayat elections.

"The meeting essentially related to the political situation in the state. We have in particular last night and today morning discussed at length the on-going panchayat elections and the party, which has had an aggressive campaigning, is optimistic of doing extremely well," he said.

He said BJP wants the opposition to engage itself in normal democratic activities in the state legislature and added "the opposition have made certain charges, the party is ready to debate on them".

Jaitley said BJP wants to see how the opposition reacts to its invitation of debating on scams and will decide future plans in the event of the opposition not willing for a debate.
"The BJP expects the Governor to function within the purview of the Constitution," he said to a query on outbursts by Governor H R Bhardwaj against the state government.

Jaitley said the Core Group did not discuss the issue of change in leadership of Yeddyurappa, who last month got a reprieve to continue in office despite allegations of corruption.

He avoided response to a query whether Yeddyurappa would be allowed to expand his ministry, remarking "it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister".

Jaitley said the group would meet again after the panchayat election results were announced.