Debate on choice of Karnataka ministers in media unnecessary: BJP

In the wake of the controversy created by Sushma Swaraj's statement on Reddy brothers, BJP today said there was no rift over the issue in the party.

Asked about the reported differences between Sushma Swaraj and some senior party leaders, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitaraman said "there is no rift in the party. There are no differences within".

BJP president Nitin Gadkari had issued a statement yesterday, saying any debate on the choice of Karnataka ministers in the media is "totally unnecessary".

His statement came after former BJP president Rajnath Singh and Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa claimed responsibility for inducting the controversial Reddy brothers into the state cabinet, from which Swaraj had distanced herself.

Swaraj, perceived to be close to the Reddys, had last week said it was the decision of Jaitley, Yeddyurappa, M Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar to induct mining magnates Janardhan and Karunakar Reddy into the cabinet.

The remarks, which brought to fore the differences among second generation leadership in BJP, forced Rajnath Singh and Yeddyurappa to claim responsibility for the induction of the Reddy brothers.