Reprieve eludes doomed trio

Shekar had threatened to commit suicide if dropped, while Nayak warned that he will submit his resignation letter directly to the Legislative Assembly Speaker. But both meekly accepted the Chief Minister’s decision.

Shekar is one of the five independent MLAs supporting the Government, and Nayak crossed over to the BJP from the JD(S), as part of Operation Lotus. Unlike them, Limbavali is a hardcore BJP man.  

Why they had to go

* Aravind Limbavali: He has not been on good terms with State BJP chief K S Eshwarappa of late. His statement that State party president should not covet the Chief Minister’s chair had not gone down well with Eshwarappa. Moreover, the Yeddyurappa too was not happy with Limbavali’s performance as the Higher Education Minister. On occasions, the Chief Minister had reversed the official decisions taken by Limbavali.

* Goolihatti Shekar: He had reportedly worked in favour of JD(S) candidate Y S V Datta in the recent by-election for the Kadur Assembly constituency. Eshwarappa and the Chief Minister had taken serious note of it. Besides, he had once stated that he was given a useless portfolio (Sports & Textiles), antagonising the Chief Minister.

* Shivanagouda Nayak: He is a close associate of the Reddy brothers of Bellary who persuaded him to cross over from the JD(S) to the BJP. By sacking him, the Chief Minister has sent a message to the Reddys that they are no longer all-powerful and that he would not hesitate to take action against them or their associates.

Nayak, who was minister for Adult Education and Libraries also faced complaints of under performance.