Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (MS)

New Delhi, Feb 16: Former minister and MLC H Vishwanath is in Delhi to appeal for ministerial berth in the cabinet of Karnataka BJP government. He met influential leader of BJP high command Bhupendra Yadav who is a close aide of union home minister Amit Shah and also the chief national secretary of BJP. Vishwanath met Yadav at his residence on the Monday February 15 and held a discussion with him.

It is said that Vishwanath has appealed to the high command to elect him for the position of late S L Dharmegowda. At present Vishwanath is nominated for legislative council. As per the directives of Supreme Court, Vishwanath has to get elected. That is why Vishwanath is aiming at the spot that is left vacant now due to the death of Dharmegowda. So he is pressurizing the high command to elect him in place of Dharmegowda.

Vishwanath is also going to meet and hold discussion with state BJP in-charge Arun Singh at Bengaluru on February 17.

Speaking to the media after meeting Yadav, Vishwanath said, "I was to be elected to the legislative council from the legislative assembly. But I was nominated for legislative council. This has become an obstacle for me to get any responsibility in the state government. I have requested the BJP high command to correct this difference. That is why I met Bhupendra Yadav. Late Dharmegowda's tenure is still three and a half years more. I have requested them to elect me for that spot. I have still got five and a half years of legislative council term which I have requested Yadav to hand over to someone else."

It is learnt that Yadav assured Vishwanath of a minister’s position in the state BJP government. According to sources in BJP it is learnt that he assured Vishwanath and said, "I know the part played by you in bringing BJP to power in Karnataka. I will speak to Amit Shah and B L Santhosh in this regard and resolve the issue."