BJP legislators skip meet at Yeddyurappa's official house

Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa’s meeting with his party legislators, intended to pacify the rebels, turned out to be a cropper on Friday as the dissident legislators stayed away from the meeting.

Of the 106 party MLAs, just over 40 legislators, including about 13 ministers, attended the meeting held at Yeddyurappa’s official residence. Home minister R Ashok, primary and secondary education minister Visveshwara Hegde Kageri, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister Jagadish Shettar, the Reddy brothers, Health minister Sriramulu were among those who did not turn up at the meeting. Most of the party MLAs from Bangalore city too stayed away.

Speaking to the media, Yeddyurappa played down the developments by stating that it was a customary informal meeting after the conclusion of legislature session. “There is no dissidence in the party and nobody is preparing for a show of strength,” said Yeddyurappa.