Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 28: The state chief minister B S Yeddyurappa was in for a surprise on Wednesday August 27, on which he inducted the freshly defected legislator Umesh Katti into the cabinet. The dissidence in the party came to the fore, after several legislators from the party came forward to resign. M P Harish from Harihar, M P Kumaraswami from Moodigere, Sunil Valyapure from Chincholy, Chandrashekhar Revoor from Gulbarga south, Appacchu Ranjan from Madikeri and M Muniraju from Dasarahalli were the ones who volunteered to leave their posts. They were led by Honnali MLA M P Renukacharya.

The legislators are apparently angered by the recent developments like Operation Kamala, importance given to those who migrated recently into the party, neglect by the government in developing their constituencies, having no say in the state administration etc., It is learnt, that the legislators met assembly speaker Jagadish shettar and expressed their intention to resign from their posts, but the speaker asked them not to take hasty decisions and to discuss the issue with the party state president. Telling them that they would not be achieving anything by resigning at this juncture, he is said to have asked them to reconsider their decision.

The MLAs who were unhappy over the fact that the party legislators are being treated with derision by the ministers, also have a growing grouse against the chief minister who did not heed to their demand. The way in which minister Bellubbi was made to resign had ruffled their feathers further. The fact that the offer of resignation came in immediately after a list of transfer of inspectors and sub-inspectors was announced on Tuesday, August 26, has given rise to doubts that the episode has something to do with the transfer list.

A team of legislators led by Honnali MLA M P Renukacharya met speaker Jagadish Shettar late night on Tuesday, August 26 and asked him to accept their resignations. They laid bare their grievances, saying that they are being treated like opposition members and the party leaders totally neglected what they wanted, opined or said.

The fact that Renukacharya, who was considered to be a close confidante of the chief minister led the revolting legislators, has come in as a surprise. Renukacharya had earlier pledged his total support of the chief minister and announced during the electioneering, that making Yeddyurappa the state chief minister, was his only goal. The chief minister sidelined him later, which has incensed him. The erratic behaviour of the chief minister with his partymen too has reportedly caused their blood to boil.

A month back, unhappy legislators had met and sounded their displeasure to the chief minister. They may gain in strength during the period the Chief minister and his entourage is away for a few days in USA, taking part in the AKKA convention. This has come as a shock to the chief minister and added to his worries.