Karnataka BJP rebels summoned to Delhi by high command

The BJP central leadership today summoned Karnataka rebel MLAs and ministers here tomorrow for hammering out a solution to the their demand for replacement of chief minister BS Yeddyurappa. The development came after senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley failed to resolve the issue during his three-day stay in the state.

Party sources said tourism minister Janardhana Reddy and his brother revenue minister G Karunakara Reddy and their associate health minister B Sriramulu, along with assembly speaker Jagadish Shettar, state unit president DV Sadanand Gowda and other rebel MLAs, have been summoned.

While the Reddy brothers are likely to reach Delhi tonight, Shettar and Gowda may arrive tomorrow, sources said. They will hold meetings with Central leaders including LK Advani and party president Rajnath Singh. Senior leader Sushma Swaraj is also likely to talk to these rebels.

Swaraj holds considerable clout among the rebels since she contested the Lok Sabha by-election election from Bellary against Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The rebels are demanding removal of Yeddyurappa and want Shettar to be the chief minister. Yeddyurappa is reported to have offered deputy chief ministership to Shettar to placate the rebels but they are adamant.