BSY rules out dropping Reddy brothers

"I have not reached a situation that calls for dropping of these ministers", Yeddyurappa, who recently survived dissidence spearheaded by Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy, his brother and Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy and their loyalist Health Minister B Sreeramulu, told reporters here.

The three ministers from Bellary district had led the rebels seeking removal of Yeddyurappa but BJP central leadership worked out a compromise formula between the warring factions to end the two-week-long turmoil.

The Obulapuram Mining Corporation (OMC) owned by the trio from mine-rich Bellary has come on the radar of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of Supreme Court which has submitted a report on illegal mining activities.

The CEC had submitted the report on the orders of the apex court to inquire into the matter on a writ petition filed against OMC over the illegal activity in violation of the Forest Conservation Act.

Yeddyurappa sidestepped all queries about Andhra Pradesh government seeking CBI probe into illegal mining activity by OMC and the CEC report.

"I have learnt about it (CEC report) through the press. I have not seen the copy. I will come to back to you", he said.

Prominent party leaders would discuss these developments shortly, he said, but did not indicate whether Reddy brothers would also be involved in it.

"We are concentrating on development," Yeddyurappa said when asked how he could allow the three ministers to continue in the wake of the CBI probe.

He said the government has sought legal opinion on levying Rs 1,000 cess per load of iron ore and sand, a decision that had triggered the crisis as Bellary ministers had opposed it on the ground that it would affect their business.

"We are dicussing it. A final decision will emerge soon", Yeddyurappa, who yesterday indicated that there would be a rethink on going ahead with the levy, said.