BJP holds parleys with Yeddyurappa, his adversaries

A solution to the crisis in Karnataka BJP appeared to be in sight with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa agreeing to hold parleys with the rebel group prompted by the Central leadership's firm ruling that there ''could be no change of leadership bowing to the pressures of rebels.'' Ever since he arrived in the Capital last night, the Chief Minister has held a series of meetings with party leaders Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar besides a dinner meeting with Karnataka Assembly Speaker Jagadish Shettar, the projected chief ministerial nominee of the rebel group, at a hotel.

''I don't have any reservations in talking to the Reddy brothers, after all we have to work with them in future,'' the Chief Minister told newspersons.

Today, he had a breakfast meeting with Mr Naidu who is holding a meeting with Karnataka Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy. The Minister claims to have the support of 60 of the 118 BJP MLAs. Mr Yeddyurappa also met senior party leader Sushma Swaraj, who wields enormous clout with the Reddy brothers ever since her unsuccessful contest against Congress president Sonia Gandhi from Bellary Lok Sabha seat. He will also meet BJP president Rajnath Singh and the Leader of Opposition L K Advani later in the day. ''I have apprised the central leaders, explained the events that led to the present crisis and I am abiding by their decision,'' Mr Yeddyurappa said.

The stand-off between the rebels and the Chief Minister came to the fore last month with the Reddy brothers choosing to ignore Mr Yeddyurappa and going ahead with the foundation laying ceremony for 50,000 houses for the flood victims. The Chief Minister, on his part, retaliated by transferring out top district and police administration allegedly posted at the instance of the Reddy brothers -- Mr Janardhan Reddy, Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy and Health Minister Sriramulu, their associate.

There appears to be one more faction comprising Power Minister K S Eswarappa, former minister D H Shankaramurthy and Ramadas numbering about 10 MLAs claiming that they were 'non aligned' with the party groupings but were only 'party loyalists'. They have represented their grievances with the party leadership. Party sources said it had made clear that there was no change in the leadership, but the Chief Minister will have to address the rebels' grievances. ''Some formulae are being worked out and things could become clearer by the evening,'' sources said.

-- (UNI) -- 05DI8.xml

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