Karnataka: BJP blinks, gets Sriramulu to resign

In a move to return to negotiations on power transfer in Karnataka with its ally, the JDS, the BJP on Saturday obtained the resignation of Tourism Minister B Sriramulu...

In a move to return to negotiations on power transfer in Karnataka with its ally, the JDS, the BJP on Saturday obtained the resignation of Tourism Minister B Sriramulu8212;portrayed publicly by JDS national president H D Deve Gowda as the hurdle to talks due to a murder complaint he filed against CM and Gowda8217;s son H D Kumaraswamy.

Sriramulu gave his party leader and CM-in-waiting B S Yediyurappa a single-line resignation letter addressed to Kumaraswamy on Saturday, a little over an hour after central BJP leader in charge of Karnataka Yashwant Sinha had announced that the Tourism Minister had been called for discussions.

Earlier in the day, Sinha, following discussions with senior BJP leaders in Karnataka, said he would send a message to Deve Gowda. 8220;From what I have learnt he Deve Gowda is not here in Bangalore today. I will leave word and see if I get a response. The fact that I am here to see him is itself a sign that an atmosphere conducive for talks is being created,8221; Sinha said.

Deve Gowda who was scheduled to hold power transfer talks with Sinha and BJP President Rajnath Singh on September 26 had walked away from the talks after Sriramulu filed the complaint against the Chief Minister.

Gowda then took the stand that he would not discuss the power transfer issue until BJP national leaders created an atmosphere conducive for talks. Both Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy incidentally remained away from Bangalore on Saturday. While Gowda was visiting temples in Tiruchi, his son was away in Puducherry. The BJP central observer said he did not know what preconditions Gowda had on his mind. The JDS President cannot be ignored since he is in the picture, unlike in 2006 when the alliance was forged, he said.

Sinha said he was confident the power sharing agreement would be adhered to by the JDS. He also said the JDS must not link the power transfer issue with the issue of the police complaint filed by Bellary MLA Sriramulu. The BJP would be united in backing the CM candidature of Deputy Chief Minister Yediyurappa, Sinha said.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad has said the power transfer is on course and Yediyurappa will be the new Chief Minister.