BJP leader quits as minister to 'accomodate' new entrant

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

The letter was handed over to the Chief Minsiter this evening by two legisalators from Bijapur district.

Under pressure from the state leadership Mr Bellubbi sent in his resignation yesterday under the party's 'Operation Lotus' programme to lure the opposition legislators into saffron brigade.

The party had asked the Minister to resign to accomodate JD(S) legislator, Umesh Katti, who had quit the party to join BJP.

Mr Katti would be one of the leaders to be accommodated in the BJP ministry in the proposed reshuffle on August 27 before Chief Minister leaves for the US 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 central leadership.

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