Several BJP leaders unhappy over cabinet formation

Bangalore, May 30 (UNI) The new born Bharatiya Janata Party government in Karnataka suffered birth pangs evenas three senior leaders expressed their displeasure over non inclusion into the 30 member ministry headed by B S Yeddyurappa today.

The leaders Jagadish Shettra, Shankaralingegowda and A Narayanaswamy have voiced their resentment evenas a section of their supporters took to the streets in Hubli and Bangalore demanding justice to their leaders. Several vehicles including five state run buses were damaged in Hubli following stone throwing by supporters of Shettar.

In Bangalore, the demonstrators gathered in front of the Chief Minister's Home Office 'Krishna' seeking inclusion of Shettar in the cabinet. Shettar and Gowda kept away from the swearing in ceremony.

Shettar also spurned the offer of the Speakership and said he was pained that attempts were being made to curb his growth.

Shettar, who had been the State party chief and the Leader of Opposition was a key partyman in Northern Karnataka and was responsible for winning several seats in the region in the Assembly elections. Besides, he himself had won four times from Hubli. Gowda also expressed anguish over the party ignoring him despite his impressive win from Mysore district which had no representation in the ministry.

UNI SR/VK TS1831