Dissident MLAs given deadline to convey support

PTI

Panaji, 09 October 2010: BJP emissaries have set a deadline for dissident Karnataka legislators to decide whether they want to continue with the Yeddyurappa government till 1 PM on Saturday.

 

"The talks are positive. They have been given a deadline to convey about their support to the government by 12.30 pm or one," BJP MP, Sripad Naik, who is a member of the troubleshooting team, told PTI.

 

Naik said most of the things including re-allotting ministerial berths to three dropped ministers and cabinet minister status to an independent legislator have been agreed upon.

 

"Now there are several minor issues which are being settled," he said.

 

In all, 14 dissident legislators including nine BJP lawmakers are holed up in a five-star hotel in Benaulim village in South Goa, 50 kms away from Panaji.

 

BJP leaders are in talks with the dissidents for the last two days at the South Goa hotel, to defuse the crisis that has rattled the Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka.

 

Karnataka Tourism Minister Janardhan Reddy and Leader of Opposition in Goa Assembly Manohar Parrikar are heading the team which held marathon meetings to troubleshoot the issues.

 

According to BJP sources, once the crisis is over, Parrikar and Naik will be accompanying the dissident legislators back to Bengaluru.