Bangalore: Labour Minister Refutes Reddy Camp Claim on Numbers
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Oct 31: Addressing a press conference held at the Race Course residence of Chief Minister(CM), B S Yeddyurappa, labour minister, Bacche Gowda, charged Reddy Brothers with forcibly taking away the BJP legislators to different destinations and keeping them in confinement against their wishes. Refuting the claims of the Reddys that they have the support of about 70 legislators, Bacche Gowda said that the Chief Minister has the support of not less than 83 MLAs as on date. About 15 MLAs were present when he addressed the conference in the afternoon on Saturday October 31.
Bacche Gowda, Katta Subramanya Naidu
In the meanwhile, Dhananjay Kumar, government’s special representative at Delhi, stated that the party high command has already clarified that there will not be any change of guard at the state. He said that the dissident leaders and the CM will hold talks with the high command in Delhi today night, and sort out the matters.
MP Anant Kumar, who visited leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha today, said that a solution will be found for the problem within the framework of the party’s constitution. He said he has apprised the central leaders of the issues which needed to be settled in the state.
In another interesting development, Katta Subrhamanya Naidu, known to be close to the CM, visited minister Karunakar Reddy in Bangalore and held discussions. Speaking at Bellary, Janardan Reddy accompanied by Sriramulu, said that the state needs a good leader. However, he also clarified that the government will not fall. Janardan Reddy also added in response to a query, referring to some action taken against his Obalapuram Mining Company by the Andhra Pradesh government that he is prepared to face any eventuality.
Rural development and panchayat raj minister, Shobha Karandlaje, speaking to the media, accused some party legislators and the opposition, of scheming to unsettle her since the day she became a minister. She said that she has been discharging her duties efficiently, and that the question of her resignation does not arise now. While feeling that many people are jealous of her because of her rise in prominence at a young age, she however, said that she is a disciplined party worker, and that if the party instructs her to do so, she would quit her ministership.
Shettar said that there is no question of his resigning from the post of the speaker of the assembly for the time being. He explained that he would hold discussions with the party top brass at Delhi and apprise them of the ground reality.
All these developments and the fact that Yeddyurappa appeared cheerful during his visit to Dakshina Kannada district, point to the possibility that Yeddyurappa will continue to be the Chief Minister, at least for the present. One of the possibilities is that Shettar would be given a ministry of his choice, and that Shobha Karandlaje will replace him as the assembly speaker. The other demand of the Reddys to shunt CM’s chief secretary, V P Baligar, is also likely to be granted to keep them happy.