Banglore, October 30: Efforts of BJP and Rashtriya Swayamasevak Sangh (RSS) leaders to end the stand-off between Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Reddy brothers failed to yield any result on Thursday with Reddys sticking to their ‘‘change Yeddyurappa’’ stand.
They were not only unrelenting, but also tried to give an impression that other MLAs too were unhappy with Yeddyurappa by asking the party leadership to elicit individual opinions on the conduct of the CM before taking any decision.
Speaker Jagadish Shettar, who is being “wooed’’ by both the camps, is also said to have expressed the same view to the party high command while refusing the offer from CM to make him minister or the deputy CM.
“Let them take individual opinions of MLAs. It is not an issue between the CM and Reddy brothers.
It is the issue of the party,’’ Karunakara Reddy told reporters, after talks with RSS leaders.
Reddy is said to have told RSS leaders that their aim was to restore the pride of the party and they would not go back as the CM had failed to mend his ways despite several warnings.
Throughout Thursday, hectic confabulations were held in both camps. The ministers, who are considered to be neutral, were found rallying between residences of the CM, Reddy brothers and Shettar to strike a truce.
Meanwhile, state BJP president Sadananda Gowda and other leaders tried to persuade Shettar to become part of the government.
But Shettar turned down the offer stating he was not ready to accept the offer at this point of time.
He is said to have taken Gowda and CM’s camp to task for coming to him at the time of crisis.
On the other hand, the Reddy brothers continued their tirade against the CM. Health Minister Sriramulu had announced that his was his last speech as Gadag District in-charge Minister.
Karunakara Reddy likened Yeddyurappa to Kamsa, the maternal uncle of Lord Krishna and said he (the CM) would meet the same fate as that of Kamsa’s.
–Agencies