BJP leader quits as minister to 'accommodate' new entrant

Bangalore, Aug 24 (UNI) Bowing to the party pressure to accommodate 'new entrants', Karnataka Horticulture Minister S K Bellubbi today tendered his resignation.

The letter was handed over to the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa this evening by two legisalators from Bijapur District.

Mr Bellubbi resigned yesterday under the party's 'Operation Lotus' programme to lure the opposition legislators into saffron brigade.

BJP had asked the Minister to resign to accommodate Janata Dal(Secular) JD(S) legislator, Umesh Katti, who had joined the BJP.

Mr Katti would be one of the leaders to be accommodated in the BJP ministry in the proposed reshuffle on August 27 before Mr Yeddyurappa departs for United States to attend AKKA Conference this week.

The resignation preceded widespread protests in Bijapur by BJP workers and the supporters of Mr Bellubbi. They had also gone to Delhi to register their protest with the high command.

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