Karnataka crisis: Gowda meets Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley in Delhi

New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda held a crisis meet with senior BJP leaders Nitin Gadkari and Arun Jaitley on Sunday after former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa raised the pitch of his revolt.

In a meeting lasting over an hour, Gadkari, Jaitley and Karnataka incharge Dharmendra Pradhan discussed the state affairs with Gowda. Sources said there is likely to be no change of Chief Minister in Karnataka.

Earlier in the day, Gowda has told reporters here that he was not aware why Yeddyurappa had praised Congress leaders and this question should be put to the former Chief Minister.

Downplaying the tension, Sadananda Gowda said he has received no resignation and that all issues would be resolved soon.

Downplaying the tension, Gowda had earlier in the day said he had received no resignation and that all issues would be resolved soon. "So far I haven't received any resignation letter either from any minister or from the MLA. I read in newspapers about 7 ministers and 15 MLAs have submitted there resignation to Yeddyurappa. I will only react when I get the resignations in my hand. We had a problem earlier also and we resolved everything and I think we will resolve everything."

Earlier on Sunday, Yeddyurappa openly praised UPA Chief Sonia Gandhi while slamming his own party. He said infighting is rampant in the BJP unlike the Congress where they stand by their leader.

"One thing I have noticed about the Congress party is that when Sonia Gandhi was in Tumkur, all the Congress leaders who were at the stage with her was united despite all their differences, but in my party everyone waits to pull the rug under a person who is in trouble," said Yeddyurappa.

Nine of Yeddyurappa loyalists quit their cabinet posts on Saturday saying they were insulted by the Chief Minister.

"Ministers and MLAs are angry because they have been insulted by Sadananda Gowda. It is true a few ministers and MLAs have quit their posts and handed over the resignations to me. I'll take the decision in the appropriate time. The reason is that the Karnataka Chief Minister wrote a letter to BJP president Nitin Gadkari seeking disciplinary action against them because they were close to me," Yeddyurappa said.

He also said that for the past five months there has been no legislature party meeting. "Why is there no meeting? About nine ministers have resigned. I will take my decision in sometime."

Animal Husbandry minister and a Yeddyurappa loyalist Revu Naik Belamagi said, "I have been saying this from the past. If Yeddyurappa will not be the Chief Minister, I will resign from the ministership."

The move is being seen as a pressure tactic by Yeddyurappa to secure more Cabinet berths for his loyalists. Sources said that Gowda is heading to Delhi to meet the party top brass. Sources also say that Yeddyurappa may be thinking of resigning from the Assembly. Yeddyurapa told CNN-IBN that he would decide his next step soon.

BJP MP GS Basavraj said, "It's a very serious situation. It should be handled with care. Yeddyurappa cannot continue to hold the party to ransom."

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