The crisis in the BJP government in Karnataka appears to have been defused on Monday with nine ministers loyal to B S Yeddyurappa deciding to withdraw their resignation after the central leadership assured them that they would decide on their demand for leadership change in the next two-three days.
The rebel group, which triggered a fresh crisis last week with nine of their ministers quitting to pile up pressure to remove Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, has been invited for talks in New Delhi by the party's central leadership.
Announcing this after a meeting at rebel leader Yeddyurappa's residence, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar said the party high-command has assured that a decision on the leadership issue would be taken in the next two-three days. "The party's central leaders told the Ministers to withdraw their resignations and come to Delhi for talks so that it creates a conducive atmosphere for taking a good decision", said Shettar, who is Yeddyurappa faction's nominee for Chief Ministership.
Shettar, who belongs to the majority Lingayat community as Yeddyurappa, was one of the nine ministers who had quit. Following the party leadership's assurance, it was decided to withdraw the resignations, he added.
Gowda welcomes rebels’ decision
Facing persistent heat from the dissident camp led by his predecessor B S Yeddyurappa, Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Monday welcomed the decision by nine ministers to withdraw resignations.
"I have no ill-will against any one. There is no self interest also. Party High Command will resolve the crisis," Gowda, whose removal is being sought by Yeddyurappa's loyalists, told reporters here. Nine ministers loyal to Yeddyurappa quit on June 29 alleging that there was a "deficit of trust" between them and the Chief Minister.
The state is facing an unprecedented drought not witnessed in the past 40 years and the government’s focus was on tackling it, he said, indirectly showing his unhappiness over the dissident activity in his own party casting its shadow. Gowda also sought to remind his detractors that the government would be doing injustice to people if the budget was not passed in the coming session of the legislature.
The extended budget session is beginning on July 16 for passing the full budget. Gowda took a vote-on-account in March seeking nod for budget proposals till July 31.
“I am a loyal party worker. I will abide by whatever decision the party takes. I have been carrying out my duties sincerely. In the last eleven months, I have tried to give corruption-free administration,” Gowda said.
Gowda, who has been facing revolt from the Yeddyurappa group ever since he became the Chief Minister, admitted that the factional feud has cast its shadow on development works. He said he had been summoned by his party high command to Delhi on Monday.
