Nine ministers withdraw resignations

DHNS

Bangalore, 03 July 2012: The nine Karnataka ministers, who had resigned their posts demanding that Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda be replaced, withdrew their resignations on on Monday, after party central leaders promised to initiate talks on Tuesday to address their grievances.

 

The ministers, all loyalists of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, withdrew their resignations after the party top leadership ruled out any talks with dissidents unless they relented on their threat to quit.

 

Party president Nitin Gadkari and senior leader Arun Jaitley, who was keeping in touch with Yeddyurappa, reportedly told the former chief minister that they had an open mind on the demand of his camp for a change in leadership, but would not succumb to pressure.

 

Party senior leader L K Advani had favoured fresh elections rather than toeing the line of the rebels.

 

Yeddyurappa was also told that Sadananda Gowda would be left with no option but to accept the resignations of the nine ministers, if they did not heed the central party leadership’s diktat.

 

At a hurriedly convened press conference at Yeddyurappa’s residence, the ministers, announcing that were withdrawing their resignations, claimed that the central leadership had assured them that it  would take up their demand in three days. The ministers—Jagadish Shettar, Basavaraj Bommai, Murgesh Nirani, M P Renukacharya, C M Udasi, Raju Gowda, Revu Naik Belamagi, V Somanna and Umesh Katti—said they had been invited by the party leadership for talks in New Delhi.

 

With leaders from all factions of Karnataka unit reaching New Delhi, the BJP leaders will begin talks on Tuesday to end the current political imbroglio.

 

Some ministers said they were confident that Gowda would be replaced by Shettar within a week. Hence, they did not hesitate to withdraw their resignations. The senior party leaders would arrive at a consensus on the demand for removing Gowda. Later, the Parliamentary Board would discuss the issue.

 

However, Yeddyurappa stayed back in Bangalore, for he has to seek the permission of the CBI court if he has to move out of the state capital. Gowda and party state president K S Eshwarappa left for New Delhi later. Gowda, who will also to attend the BJP chief ministers’ meeting to discuss strategy for Presidential elections, met Advani in New Delhi on Monday.

 

Gowda welcomed the decision of the ministers to withdraw their resignations. Gowda said he had “no ill-will” against anyone and was ready to rectify mistakes,” if any, on his part. Gowda reportedly sought Advani’s support for continuing as chief minister.

 

Later, Gowda told reporters, “As I have been giving able administration without any corruption charges, I hope the party will support me.”  However, he would accept any “direction” issued to him by the BJP leadership, for “I am a disciplined soldier of the party.”

 

When asked whether he would “survive” the crisis, Gowda said he was not an “astrologer” and “cannot predict  the outcome of the crisis.” Dharmendra Pradhan, party secretary in charge of Karnataka affairs, said: “The ministers have taken back their resignations unconditionally and have returned to work. We are heading for a political solution in Karnataka.” Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar claimed that the decision to withdraw the resignations was taken on Yeddyurappa’s advice.

 

Good atmosphere

 

Basavaraj Bommai said the move would help in creating a “good atmosphere” and also provide a platform for the central leadership to take a free, fair and amicable decision.