New Delhi: Signs of a compromise are being seen in Karnataka politics. Sources have told CNN-IBN that the BJP leadership has offered a compromise formula.
They have offered to drop Rural Development Minister Shobha Karandlaje from the state Cabinet, though Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa continued to defend her, saying she was an honest politician.
The BJP leadership has also offered to drop Yeddyurappa's Principal Secretary, VP Baligar.
But the Reddy brothers from Bellary - state Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and his elder brother and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy - are sticking to their stand. They still want the Chief Minister to go.
Taking on the rebel MLAs of the party, Yeddyurappa said, “The rebel MLAs have tarnished the image of the party. I would request them to attend conferences and work together.”
The Reddy brothers are billionaire iron ore mine owners and claim the support of over 70 of the 117 party legislators in the 225-member state Assembly.
The BJP leadership has been holding hectic deliberations in New Delhi with both factions to end the differences that are threatening to bring down the party's first government in the south.
In the May 2008 polls, the BJP won 110 of the 224 elected seats in the 225-member Assembly. It formed the government with the help of six independents, five of whom have been rewarded with ministership. The Reddys are believed to have won over the Independents using their financial clout.
Later, the Reddys also lured more than half a dozen Congress and Janata Dal-Secular legislators to the BJP.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu was still hopeful and said that the Karnataka crisis will be resolved in a couple of days.
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