PTI

Bangalore, Mar 7: Union home minister P Chidambaram had to cancel his visit to BJP-ruled Karnataka, for the third time in four days, as chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said he would not be available for a meeting with him to discuss the security scenario.

Chidambaram had to drop the plans to visit Bangalore at the last minute after Yeddyurappa said he intended to go to his constituency and could not attend a security meeting rescheduled for the third time for Saturday, a home ministry statement said.

Giving details, it said that as part of the review of security situation and preparedness of every state, the Karnataka government was requested to organise a review meeting on March 4, to be attended by the Union home minister, the CM and state government officials.

When the Karnataka government replied that this date was not convenient to the CM, the state government was requested for an alternative date and it suggested March 5 for the meeting.

Though this was accepted by the home minister, the state government conveyed on March 3 that the date was not convenient to the chief minister.

"The home minister accepted this and requested the government of Karnataka once again to suggest another date," the statement said. 

Allegations Baseless - Yeddyurappa

Meawwhile chief minister B S Yeddyurappa lashed out at Union home minister P Chidambaram for making "baseless" allegations against him  over cancellation of a law and order review meeting fixed here for Saturday.

"I am not responsible for cancellation of the meeting. It is Chidambaram who cancelled it," Yeddyurappa said.

He was irked over the home minister's statement that held him responsible for cancelling the meeting expressing inability to attend it. "Chidambaram postponed the meeting on at least three occasions earlier", Yeddyurappa said.

"I need not be present at that meeting. I had authorised home minister V S Acharya to attend it," Yeddyurappa said.

Taking a dig at Chidambaram, Yeddyurappa sarcastically said "if he had concerns for Karnataka, he would have sanctioned the NSG commando unit and then come to Bangalore".

Acharya Takes a Dig at Chidu

On the other hand Home minister V S Acharya slammed his counterpart at the Centre P Chidambaram for holding chief minister B S Yeddyurappa responsible for postponement of the crucial meeting to discuss state's security and poll preparedness scheduled here on Saturday.

Speaking to TOI, Acharya said: "It is unfortunate that Chidambaram, who unilaterally cancelled the meeting on Saturday and had earlier postponed it twice is now blaming the CM for it. He is trying to politicize the issue for election purpose.''

According to Acharya, the meeting was scheduled at Chidambaram's behest. "Instead of coming from Mumbai to Bangalore, he took the flight to New Delhi. Since the CM cannot be present at all meetings, I would have attended the meeting. Thrice Chidambaram fixed the dates and at all times postponed it himself,'' he maintained.