The signature campaign has surprised many as it has come in the midst of the legislature session, which was already debating the ravage caused by the flood and the government is replying to the debate on Thursday

Ruling party MLAs Nandish Reddy and S R Vishwanath were seen securing signatures from MLAs and this sparked off a rumour that these two legislators have been mobilising support opposing induction of rebel leader M P Renukacharya into the ministry on December 24.

A group of MLAs including Belur Gopalakrishna, Nemiraj Naik and others who had signed the letter, denied  at a press conference  that they were opposing Renukacharya's induction and asserted "we will abide by the party decision on the issue".

Sources close to Yeddyurappa said the Chief Minister was firm on expanding his ministry and there was no question of going back on the assurance held out to Renukacharya, who l had last week raised a banner of revolt along with his supporters.
Yeddyurappa had said on Tuesday he would induct one MLA and ruled out restructuring of portfolios.