Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jun 12: It is learnt, during the day-long parleys with party leader Arun Jaitely, dissident leaders from the state have forcefully put forth their demand for the formation of a core committee, so that the highhanded attitude and dictatorial demeanours of Chief Minister (CM) Yeddyurappa are toned down.  Jaitely, who collected the opinions of both the factions, one that is loyal to the CM and the other led by energy minister K S Eshwarppa, which is intolerant with his way of functioning and utterances, to behave in a way that does not harm the image of the party.

The notable feature of the day was the two separate meetings Jaitley held with MP Anant Kumar, national secretary of the party. Jaitley, who discussed the issues threadbare in a prolonged meeting with Yeddyurappa, party's state president Sadanand Gowda and Anant Kumar, again held separate talks with Anant Kumar and Yeddyurappa later. Minister Eshwarappa, Chickmagalur MLA C T Ravi and disgruntled leader D H Shankaramurty too held discussions with Jaitley separately.

During their meeting with Jaitely, it is learnt that the ministers loyal to the CM like Dr V S Acharya,  Katta Subrahmanya Naidu, R Ashok, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and some others, impressed upon the need to initiate disciplinary action against the dissidents here. The group was particularly peeved at the fact that the central leadership backtracked on the issue of disciplining K S Eshwarppa, who issued derogatory statements against the CM relating to Lok Sabha election  in Shimoga constituency.

The grouse of the dissidents is that the CM takes into confidence only a handful of ministers who are close to him, while totally neglecting others. Yeddyurappa is also accused of taking unilateral decisions. Speaking to reporters later, C T Ravi said, they have placed a few suggestions before the central leadership for making the state administration more efficient. "We have reiterated in our faith in Yeddyurappa's leadership and have not asked any ministers to be dropped," he explained.

Jaitely is to return to Delhi today. The outcome of his visit to the state may come out within a day or two.