CM gets belligerent with Bellary camp

Rift in BJP no longer a secret as Yeddyurappa criticises Health Minister Sriramulu's unilateral announcement of a rally from Bellary to Mysore

Rift in BJP no longer a secret as Yeddyurappa criticises Health Minister Sriramulu's unilateral announcement of a rally from Bellary to Mysore

With CM Yeddyurappa criticising Health Minister Sriramulu's announcement that the leaders from the Reddy camp will hold a rally from Bellary to Mysore to counter the protest march planned by opposition parties demanding a CBI enquiry into illegal mining, the rift in the BJP is out for all to see.

"He (Sriramulu) can't give such statements unilaterally. Whatever we do to counter the opposition, we have to do it united. We won't encourage such individual acts."

Yesterday, Yeddyurappa tendered an unconditional apology for saying Congress leaders R L Jalappa and R V Deshpande were involved in illegal mining.

Sriramulu, a significant member of Reddy camp and a close confidant of Tourism Minister G Janardana Reddy, kicked up a controversy by visiting the Central Jail, on Wednesday, to meet prisoners from Bellary.

Siddaramiah, leader of the Opposition in the assembly, termed Sriramulu's move as conspiracy to disturb the protest march by getting criminals to unleash violence.

The Reddys on their part called a meeting of their close associates on Friday.

"We are meeting to discuss the course of action," explained Mrityunjaya Jiniga, a BJP MLC from Bellary. "And let me tell you that it is not against anybody in our party."

Latest developments

Yeddyurappa tendered an unconditional apology yesterday for saying Congress leaders R L Jalappa and R V Deshpande, who had threatened to sue him for defamation, were involved in illegal mining. "The officers misguided me on this. I am very sorry. There is no evidence that indicates that Jalappa and Deshpande are involved in illegal mining." Ridiculing the CM, Sidaramiah said, "It is shame on his part to blame on the officers." Siddaramiah and Congress state president R V Deshpande received a call from the high command and the duo rushed for Delhi. The men are expected to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi.u00a0