Yedyurappa accepts Bellubbi's resignation

Bangalore, Aug 25: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Monday, Aug 25 said that the resignation of Horticulture Minister S K Bellubbi, who quit the post under party instructions, had been accepted. Speaking to reporters he said he had convinced the leaders and other legislators of Bijapur, the home district of Mr Bellubbi, and convinced them of the need for Mr Bellubbi to resign. He would be given a suitable post by nominating him as the chief of a state run board or corporation, he said.

This comes after witnessing a strong protest against any move to drop Mr Bellubbi from the council of ministry to pave wave to newly inducted Umesh Katti, who had quit his assembly seat to become minister.

"Mr Katti would be inducted into my ministry on August 27. Now we have put on hold inviting legislators from opposition parties under 'Operation Lotus'. This was necessary to have a majority of our own in Karnataka Assembly. Now we are not keen any more to attract opposition MLAs," he said.

He said reports about Congress leaders Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, Baburao Chinchanasur and V Somanna joining BJP was only a rumour.

UNI