Reddys' team sees red

Disgruntled legislators hold meeting at ministers residence

For the record sake, Ministers Janardhana Reddy and Karunakara Reddy said that they have no differences with the CM. Even the CM reiterated that only the media is creating rift among the BJP leaders.

But, the private residence of Janardhana Reddy was the venue to hold talks with a section of BJP legislators who are disgruntled for various reasons.

The legislators who assembled at the Reddy’s residence were Ministers D Sudhakar, Balachandra Jharkiholi, Anand Asnotikar, Shivanagouda Naik and Sriramulu, and legislators Sarvabhouma S Bagali, S K Bellubbi, Beluru Gopalakrishna and Renukacharya.  Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy was also present.

The meeting preceded the State Cabinet meeting. Some ministers and legislators who met at Janaradhana Reddy’s residence claimed that it was just a coincidence that they all met at the minister’s house. Bellubbi said, he met Karunakara Reddy to discuss the demand to declare Nidagund in Bijapur as taluk.

Issues

But sources said that some of the ministers and legislators were of the opinion that the CM should transfer Principal Secretary V P Baligar, to drop ministers Shobha Karandlaje and Katta Subramanya Naidu as they failed to get good lead for the party’s LS candidates.

Soon after the meeting, the Reddy ministers walked into the Cabinet hall in Vidhana Soudha, showing that ‘all is well’.

But the body language of Yeddyurappa told a different tale. When reporters posed some questions, the CM shot back saying, “Whether it is Janardhana Reddy or Karunakara Reddy, should they not meet legislators?”

However, the drama did not end there. The Reddys and his group left to have a lunch at a nearby five-star hotel.

In the morning, a section of senior ministers including Udasi, Ramachandra Gowda, Shobha Karandlaji had a meeting with the CM at his private residence.

Naidu blamed

Renukacharya, later speaking to reporters, charged that Minister Katta Subaramanya Naidu had no authority to criticise Minister Eshwarappa, who built the party in Karnataka.

Naidu, at Delhi, had reportedly told Eshwarappa that he should have not caused damage to the party by making public statements.

Renukacharya said, “Naidu had threatened that he would take poison if he fails to get ministerial berth. Now he criticising senior leader Eshwarappa. Even Party president Sadananda Gowda, instead of contemplating action against leaders, should be talking to legislators to sort out the differences. Even Yatnal has been treated badly by the Party.” He further said that Shobha Karnadlaje, as Mysore district in-charge minister, did not ensure victory of the Party’s LS candidate. In case of Naidu, he could not get lead for the BJP LS candidate in Hebbal. “In case the CM decides to take action against non-performers, it should begin with these two ministers,” he added.