Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who is facing fresh bout of dissidence from his party legislators demanding ouster of recently inducted minister M P Renukacharya, today held talks with a four-member dissident group to defuse the crisis.
The meeting held at his residence lasted about an hour and was attended by MLAs, Appachhur Ranjan, C T Ravi, Narayanaswamy and A Ramdas.
The talks were held in the wake of a section of MLAs under the leadership of Appachur Ranjan threatening to boycott the Speaker's election slated for tomorrow if their demands were not met.
Ranjan told reporters "we have placed our demands before the Chief Minister. There are no major or personal demands. We want Renukacharya to be dropped in the interest of maintaining the good image of the party".
He said the Chief Minister has assured them that he would consider their demands and discuss it at the legislature party meeting to be held this evening to resolve the crisis.
Refusing to be drawn into discussion on the talks he had with rebels, Yeddyurappa said all the issues would be debated at the legislature party meeting.
The induction of Renukacharya on December 24 into the Ministry evoked protests from a section of ruling BJP legislators.