Shettar meets BJP chief

 

Amid political crisis in Karnataka, embattled Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Monday met BJP president Rajnath Singh and discussed the future course of action in the wake of 13 party MLAs loyal to B S Yeddyurappa announcing their decision to quit. After the meeting, Shettar told reporters that it was a “courtesy call” after Singh became the BJP chief and he, as the leader of the state legislative party, had come to take the new leader’s “wishes” for Karnataka. Sources said both the leaders discussed the future of the first BJP government in south India.

 

Asked about the crisis in the state, he said, “Till now no MLA has resigned.” Shettar, who reached here by a special flight lase evening from Hubli, expressed confidence that the BJP government would complete its full term. He later left for Bangalore. Singh had on last Friday asked Shettar not to compromise on the BJP’s principles even if it threatens the survival of the government in the southern state. The party has said it is confident of overcoming the crisis. Thirteen MLAs loyal to Karnataka Janata Party chief Yeddyurappa had last Wednesday met Speaker K G Bopaiah to submit their resignation from Assembly membership. As Bopaiah was not present, they had later submitted copies of their resignation letters to Governor H R Bhardwaj.

In the 225-member Karnataka Assembly, BJP has a strength of 117 excluding the Speaker and requires 113 for a simple majority. Congress has 71 members and JD(S) 26. There are seven Independents and two vacancies. One member is nominated.