Thaindian News

Bangalore, June 29 (IANS) Around ten Karnataka ministers will quit the ministry late Friday if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership does not commit to removing Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, a staunch loyalist of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa claimed here.

“We will wait till 7 p.m. today (Friday) for our high command to announce acceptance of our demand to remove Sadananda Gowda. Otherwise, ten ministers will quit the ministry,” BJP lawmaker B.P. Harish told reporters.

He said the decision was taken here Friday at a meeting of ministers and BJP lawmakers loyal to Yeddyurappa at the residence of Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar, whom the dissidents want to take over from Gowda.

Harish, a vocal member of the Yeddyurappa group in the faction-ridden BJP’s Karnataka unit, said though several legislators also wanted to quit immediately, they have been advised to wait.

However, Harish’s statements were virtually dismissed as worthless by state BJP chief K.S. Eshwarappa, who is in New Delhi on a private visit but has briefed party leaders on the developments in the state unit.

“I do not know what importance should be given to Harish’s statements. I have briefed our national leaders. They have said that all issues will be considered after the presidential poll in July. I will discuss all issues with my colleagues in Bangalore tomorrow (Saturday),” Eshwarappa told reporters in the national capital.

Harish hit back in Bangalore, saying that as state unit head, Eshwarappa should worry about saving the government.

“We are determined and ten ministers will quit late Friday,” the Yeddyurappa loyalist asserted.

The ministers who might resign are: Jagadish Shettar, C.M. Udasi (public works department), Shobha Karandlaje (power), V. Somanna (housing), Revu Naik Belamagi (libraries), Murugesh Nirani (industries), Basavaraj Bommai (water resources), M.P. Renukacharya (excise), and Umesh Katti (agriculture).