BJP rebels set July 5 deadline
BSY, Shettar want Gowda out
The latest political crisis in Karnataka, triggered by the resignation of nine ministers, is headed for a major showdown on July 5 with supporters of rural development and panchayat raj minister Jagadish Shettar asking the BJP’s central leadership to ease out Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda by that date or face a bigger rebellion that could split the party into two.
Flaunting the faction’s strength, 51 MLAs, seven MLCs and nine MPs, all supporters of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, met at Mr Shettar’s residence on Sunday morning and decided to abide by the decision of BSY and Mr Shettar once the deadline lapses.
All of them signed a letter asking the Speaker to make separate seating arrangements for the breakaway faction in the Assembly. In the next three days, the group hopes to get the sup- port of 80 MLAs, the crucial two-thirds mark to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.
The participants claimed other MLAs were in touch with them over the phone and sent fax messages offering support. If the faction’s strength exceeds 80, it could step up pressure on the central leadership, sources said.
Mr Yeddyurappa and energy minister Shobha Karandlaje skipped Sunday’s meeting. The Shettar camp is exploring if BJP Assembly chief whip Siddu Savadi has the legal option to convene a separate legislature party meeting.