A series of closed-door meetings between the Reddy brothers and the BJP’s top leaders at different venues through the day kept lensmen and reporters busy on Saturday.
Tourism minister G Janardhana Reddy, who arrived in the city from New Delhi on Saturday morning, had his first meeting with his brother and revenue minister, G Karunakara Reddy, and another close associate, health minister B Sriramulu.
The trio then met assembly speaker Jagadish Shettar at his residence. “We trusted that our Yajamana (house owner, meaning the CM) would lead us in a proper manner when the government was formed. But he is interfering in many of our good works and trying to control our popularity,” said Janardhana Reddy at a press meet. “We want the BJP to rule Karnataka not for five but 50 years. For this, we need better leadership. I am confident that our leaders will take the right decision in 2-3 days” he said.
According to sources, the Reddy group insisted that Shettar demand the deputy CM’s post. But Shettar refused. Shettar was convinced that the party top brass does not favour a leadership change at this stage and that they have evolved a formula to resolve the crisis.
It is not yet clear whether Shettar—whose desire to join the Yeddyurappa ministry last year did not materialise —will accept a ministerial berth or put forth a demand to induct some of his supporters into the cabinet along with him, said sources.
“We are working for the good of the state with 100% responsibility, but some people are not allowing us to function and we cannot make adjustments with them,” Janardhana Reddy said.
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