The Hindu

Tumkur, Dec 3: Two Ministers, known to be Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s close confidants in the Cabinet, here on Wednesday, expressed their fear that the Yeddyurappa Ministry may not last long. Basavaraj Bommai, Minister for Major and Medium Irrigation and P. Venkataramanappa, Minister for Small Scale Industries and Sericulture were here to attend a Government-sponsored programme.

Mr. Venkataramanappa, who is an independent MLA from Pavagada in Tumkur district, said he lent support to the Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government on the condition that the Hemavathy water would be provided to Pavagada taluk, both for drinking and irrigation purposes. However, he said, no visible action had been taken in this regard. He told Mr. Bommai: “The situation is very clear.

We may not remain Ministers for long. You must hasten the work (of providing the river water to Pavagada taluk).”Responding to Mr. Venkataramanappa’s plea, Mr. Bommai agreed that the two would not enjoy ministership for long. Although he pleaded his inability to provide the Hemavathy water to Pavagada taluk, Mr. Bommai said: “I am a Minister today only because Mr. Venkataramanappa and five other independent MLAs offered their support to the BJP.”