Sushma to don peacemaker garb in K'taka

Bellary, Karnataka, Aug 4: Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sushma Swaraj today exuded confidence that the dissidence within the party's Karnataka unit following suspended BJP MLC G Janardhana Reddy's bribery charge against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will be set right within a couple of days.

Talking to reporters here after inaugurating the local BJP office, she termed the dissidence in the party as ''unfortunate'' and said she was here to resolve it.

''Problems can be solved by holding open discussions, for which the process is on. With the faith that my words will have an effect on the State party leaders and workers, I can say that the problem will be resolved amicably. Within two days, the issue will come to an end. Wait and see,'' she said.

Mr Reddy had kicked up a political storm in the State by accusing Mr Kumaraswamy and Forests Minister C Chennigappa of receiving a bribe of Rs 150 crore from the mining lobby in Bellary district.

However, he retracted his statement on the insistence of party top brass, only to reiterate his charge again on the floor of the Legislative Council.

Ms Swaraj cautioned the JD(S)-BJP combine that differences between the coalition partners would only lead to destabilisation of the Government and pave way for the Congress returning to power.

Asked whether Mr Reddy sharing a dais with BJP leaders, including her and Tourism Minister B Sriramulu, at a mass marriage ceremony here today would send any wrong signals within the party, she replied in the negative and said there was nothing wrong as Mr Reddy's Ennoble Group of Companies had only organised it.

BJP Karnataka President D V Sadananda Gowda, who was also present, said a party meeting had been convened in Bangalore tomorrow, in which party national leaders including Mr M Venkaiah Naidu would participate. Mr Reddy's issue would be discussed in the meeting. ''I am not against Reddy, but the venue he chose for raising the issue is wrong. The issue will be resolved on Saturday's meeting.'' Declining to divulge details of Mr Reddy's response to his suspension notice, he said the party would discuss his response.

UNI