Spurred by the Congress' dismal show in the by-elections for two assembly seats, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa asked the principal Opposition party to shed its 'inimical attitude' towards his government and work as a "constructive opposition".
Speaking to reporters on his return from China after a five-day visit, he said Congress had engaged itself in vindictive politics in the past two years and adopted an intolerant attitude towards the BJP government.
“Congress tried to mislead people by levelling baseless allegations,” he said, a day after the outcome of the bypolls, in which BJP and JD(S) shared a seat each.
Congress not only conceded one seat, but was also relegated to third spot. “I am even now willing to discuss with Congress issues pertaining to development,” Yeddyurappa said.
He said the electorate in Gulbarga and Kadur constituencies had rejected the ‘vindictive politics’ of Congress and also its 320-km padayatra against BJP's alleged misrule. Yeddyurappa was in China to attend the World Economic Forum organised summit.
Ministry to be expanded Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has convened a meeting of senior BJP leaders here tomorrow to discuss the issue of ministry expansion. “I am contemplating undertaking the exercise as early as possible. Tomorrow I will hold consultations with senior leaders", he told reporters here.
He did not reply to questions on whether he would go in for ministry recasting or expansion to fill up three vacancies. BJP sources said Yeddyurappa is eager to ensure the return of Shobha Karandlaje, whom was removed as minister bowing to the demand of dissidents last year to quell the rebellion launched against him.
There is also a demand from some aspirants for ministerial berths. Those demanding ministerial posts are Gopala Krishna Belur, C T Ravi and S K Bellubbi,who was forced to quit to accomodate Umesh Katti, besides V Somanna, who resigned after losing the bypoll from Govindarajanagar assembly constituency.
Yeddyurappa who returned from a tour of China today met RSS leaders and discussed with them plans to expand his ministry and also the outcome of the September 13 bypolls. He described his China visit as “successful”.
