Special grants to Independent MLAs taken 'note' of

The Yeddyurappa loyalists, who are preparing a ‘chargesheet’ against Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda in order to oust him to make way for their political boss, on Thursday released a note alleging that Gowda had sanctioned a special grant of Rs 45 crore to each of the five independent MLAs for the development of their constituencies.

The note was circulated to the media by the close aides of Excise Minister M P Renukacharya, who is a close confidant of Yeddyurappa. The note was later distributed to all the leaders who attended the lunch organised by Yeddyurappa at his Race Course residence, highlighting the alleged disparity in treating MLAs by the chief minister. By doing so, the Yeddyurappa faction tried to garner support of the party MLAs.

Gowda had sought the support of the Independent MLAs for his election to the Legislative Council recently. The five Independent MLAs who have received the special grants are: Shivaraj Thangadagi, Venkataramanappa, Goolihatti Shekhar, P M Narendraswamy and D Sudhakar.

This is not all. Yeddyurappa is learnt to have told all those attended the luncheon meeting that Sadananda Gowda had been pleasing JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda and indirectly helping the JD(S) grow. Deve Gowda had written 16 letters to Sadananda Gowda seeking his co-operation in getting some works in the government done in the last six months, and the chief minister had implemented them all, the former chief minister is learnt to have said.

Earlier, Harihara MLA B P Harish, who is a Yeddyurappa loyalist, lashed out at Sadananda Gowda. “The JD(S) helped him (Sadananda Gowda) become an MLC by boycotting the byelection held recently. In turn, he has been helping the JD(S) leaders by doing all their works,” he told reporters before attending the meeting.

He said Sadananda Gowda could not take the party forward. He lacked the capability to run the party government and ensure the party’s victory in the next Assembly elections. So, the party should bring back Yeddyurappa, he said.