CM says BSY will get 'suitable position'

Minor irritants will be solved through negotiations

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has hinted that former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will be accommodated in a suitable position, while at the same time ruling out a change of leadership in the State. 

He was speaking to reporters at Chincholi, about 90 km from here, on Sunday. The chief minister was in the town to take part in the 46th birthday celebrations of Chincholi MLA Sunil Valyapur.

Gowda said discussions were on in the party to accommodate Yeddyurappa in a suitable position. The party’s core committee was scheduled to meet in Delhi to discuss the issue, the chief minister said.

Gowda reiterated there was no problem in the party over the leadership issue and he would continue to be the chief minister for the rest of the term.

“There is no question of change in leadership. Nobody has demanded my resignation in the party or in the government. But there are minor irritants which will be resolved through negotiations,” he said.

The chief minister said he would continue the practice of presenting a separate budget for agriculture, started by Yeddyurappa.

He urged the Centre to amend Article 371 of the Constitution in the budget session of Parliament to provide special status for Hyderabad-Karnataka region. A delegation of the State under the leadership of veteran leader and former minister Vaijanath Patil would be taken to Delhi to meet the Central leaders and prevail upon them to amend Article 371.
Gowda said an amount of Rs 7,500 crore had been spent to address regional imbalance in the State, since the BJP came to power. Last year, an amount of Rs 2,975 crore had been earmarked for the purpose, he added.

Birthday wishes
The chief minister said the differences in the State BJP had been sorted out to some extent by the party high command.

Speaking to reporters at the Mangalore airport on Sunday, on his way to Udupi, he said he would visit the house of Yeddyurappa to wish him on his birthday on Monday. “I will pray for his bright future on his birthday,” he added.

Priority for youth
Gowda said the youth, who constitute 40 per cent of the population, would be given priority in the State budget. The budget will propose a youth policy so that all issues pertaining to them are discussed in public for a year and programmes for them can be chalked out.

“I have already reviewed the performances of over 65 departments. A meeting with leaders from youth organisations and farmers will be held next week regarding the budget.”