BJP will decide against rebel MLAs on Dec 12: Shettar

Belgaum, Dec 10: Facing fresh turmoil,

Chief Minister

on Monday, Dec 10 said

central leaders will take a decision on Dec 12 on initiating action against MLAs who defied the party and shared dais with BS Yeddyurappa at the launch of his new outfit.

"The BJP central leaders will take a decision at a Dec 12 meeting..." Shettar told reporters here, a day after 13 MLAs threw their lot behind Yeddyurappa at the Haveri rally, raising questions about the stability of government. Ignoring the warning of action, MLAs loyal to Yeddyurappa, who broke his 40-year-old association with BJP 11 days ago, showed open defiance, putting the BJP in a quandary.

Reacting to the opposition demand to dissolve the assembly, Shettar replied in the negative saying there is no question of doing so. Higher Education Minister CT Ravi alleged Yeddyurappa is having a "secret pact" with Congress as he has not stated anything against it. Ravi said the formation of KJP will not affect BJP's prospects in the future.

"BJP cannot be weakened by anyone (who leaves the party)," he added. Describing Yeddyurappa as a "selfish person" with "ego problems", he said the claims of thirty legislators supporting Yeddyurappa is a media creation. Yeddyurappa had yesterday dared the BJP to dissolve the assembly and seek a fresh mandate saying the Shettar government had no majority in the assembly now.

Seeking to send a tough message to Yeddyurappa's loyalists, Shettar had on Saturday sacked his trusted lieutenant BJ Puttaswamy from the ministry while the party had suspended Tumkur MP GS Basavaraju.

PTI