BJP to slap show cause notice on Eswarappa

BJP state unit president D V Sadananda Gowda would issue the notice to Eswarappa, seeking explanation for his recent outbursts, party sources said, days after the charge was used as an ammunition by Opposition to embarrass the saffron party.

Sources in the party said Gowda appraised party president Rajnath Singh of the developments in Karnataka, where BJP put up an impressive performance bagging 19 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats, leaving only six for Congress and three for JD(S).

Gowda, who is in Delhi, is expected to issue the notice by Thursday, they said.

At a meeting called by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in Delhi on Wednesday, all the 19 BJP MPs wanted action against those who violated party discipline, the sources said, adding that Eswarappa was also in the national capital.

Seizing the opportunity provided by Eswarappa's charges, the Congress not only demanded a probe into the alleged distribution of money and liquor by BJP, but also Yeddyurappa's resignation owning "moral responsibility".

In another development, Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy, who is said to be unhappy with Yeddyurappa, on Wednesday held a meeting at his Bellary residence to discuss their future plans at which five ministers and more than a dozen MLAs participated.

The sources said Ministers Shivaraj Thangadagi, Shivanagowda Naik, D Sudhakar, Goolihatti Shekar and Sreeramulu attended the meeting.

Reddy, his brothers -- Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy and MLA G Somashekhar Reddy -- and Health Minister B Sreeramulu had boycotted the first anniversary celebrations of the BJP government, alleging that they were being sidelined.

Eswarappa, who also hails from the Chief Minister's home district of Shimoga, too had stayed away.

Somashekhar on Wednesday openly admitted that the Reddy brothers were not being taken into confidence in decision making by the Chief Minister.

On May 31, Eswarappa had told a public gathering in Shimoga that partymen wanted a probe into the allegations of distribution of liquor and money in Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency from where Yeddyurappa's son B Y Raghavendra successfully contested on his electoral debut.