Karnataka   

Defiant BJP MLAs will be sacked: Yediyurappa

Staff Reporter

‘I have not received any call to pull out of coalition Government’

BANGALORE: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Thursday said that stern action would be taken against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs who worked against the decisions taken by the party. They would even be removed from the party if it warranted.

At a hurriedly convened press conference here to react to rumours that the BJP was upset by the Janata Dal (S) MLAs’ action of abstaining from the presidential election, Mr. Yediyurappa denied having received any phone call from his party leaders in New Delhi to withdraw from the coalition Government. Terming it dirty politics by the Congress, the BJP leader said that its leaders were daydreaming that the coalition Government would fall.

He said the coalition would last its full term. Asked why he was upset by such a rumour allegedly spread by the Congress when his own party MLAs were running a campaign against him, he denied any such development. When insisted, he said that if any MLA or party leader was indulging in such an activity, he or she would be removed from the party.

On the action of Sunita Veerappa Gowda, who abstained from voting, Mr. Yediyurappa said that she had been maintaining a distance from the party for a long time.

Rumour mills worked at full steam on Thursday on the political plans of the BJP and the stability of the coalition Government. A rumour that the BJP leaders are contemplating opting out of the coalition Government in the wake of the Janata Dal (S) not supporting the presidential candidature of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat spread fast in the corridors of the Vidhana Soudha.

However, Mr. Yediyurappa was quick to deny it.

Sources in the BJP said that the party leaders were concerned that rumours fly thick whenever leader in-charge of Karnataka affairs Yashwant Sinha was scheduled to visit the State.

Just a few days before Mr. Sinha’s first visit to Karnataka, the party’s State unit was gripped by speculation that some rebel leaders are trying raise a banner of revolt against Mr. Yediyurappa. This issue occupied the centre stage during Mr. Sinha’s visit though the party leaders tried to play down it.

Now, a fresh problem gripped the party in the form of rumours when Mr. Sinha is scheduled to visit the State for the second time on Sunday.

Sources in the BJP said that the party leaders might take up the issue with Mr. Sinha who would participate in the State unit’s executive committee meeting.

While a section of the BJP leaders is suspecting a rival faction of spreading rumours, some leaders think that it could be the handiwork of other political parties.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

JD (S) abstains from voting
Sajith denies bribing Chennithala
Auto drivers told to install meters
Encroachments removed in Malayandahalli tank
Puducherry-Bangalore highway inconveniences road users
Three killed in accident
Uncleared garbage, choked drains a common sight here
SBI to adopt girl children
Banks accused of using unfair tactics
Anganwadi workers stage protest
Bandh call by ‘naxalites’ evokes partial response
Safety is no longer a priority in many schools
Defiant BJP MLAs will be sacked: Yediyurappa

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu