Karnataka: Don't target my loyalists, says Yeddyurappa

Bangalore: A day after the sacking of his loyalists Ayanur Manjunath and Dhananjay Kumar, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Sunday issued an indirect threat to pull down the government if the party continued to target his supporters. “There are six to eight ministers with plum portfolios. If they are also sacked, then we can go for early elections,” Yeddyurappa said when asked by reporters about the sacking of his supporters.

Manjunath was sacked from the state BJP spokesman’s post following his outburst against Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister R Ashok, and Kumar was removed as the state’s special representative in Delhi for “poor performance”. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, Yeddyurappa also demanded plum portfolios for Small-scale Industries Minister Raju Gowda and Excise Minister M P Renukacharya. “Portfolio re-allocation is on the cards. I will strongly demand plum portfolios for them as they have effectively handled their existing portfolios,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa defended the sacking of Manjunath and Kumar. “It is the party’s decision, and we don’t have to give you (media) any explanation,” he said. Taking strong exception to Eshwarappa’s stand, Manjunath demanded an explanation for the party’s action. He asked: “There are people who are demanding resignations of ministers. Why was no action taken against them?”

BSY issued an indirect threat to pull down the government if the BJP continued to target his supporters.

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