Yeddyurappa, dissidents patch up, BJP crisis over

NO PERMANENT FOES: B S Yeddyurappa (l) and Janardhana Reddy announce their friendship in Delhi.

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New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced the political crisis in its Karnataka unit was over and Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and dissidents had resolved their differences.

The Yeddyurappa ministry has been in limbo for two weeks because of a campaign against him by dissidents, who were led by Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and his elder brother and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy.

Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, who mediated between the Reddy brothers and Yeddyurappa, told reporters on Sunday evening that the crisis has been “resolved amicably”.

"Both (Yeddyurappa and Janardhana Reddy) will go to (senior leader L K) Advani to seek his blessings. Party president Rajnath Singh and (senior leaders) Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley will also reach there," she said.

"The problem has been resolved amicably," said Swaraj after Yeddyurappa and Janardhana Reddy met at her house in New Delhi.

"We have asked them to go together and serve the people of Karnataka," she said.

Janardhana Reddy said dissidents Karnataka BJP MLAs had decided to work with Yeddyurappa in the interest of the state. "We have taken the decision in the interest of the state and betterment of the people. We will work together," he said.

Yeddyurappa, who on Saturday cried during a TV interview while speaking about the political crisis, held hands with Janardhana Reddy in a show of unity.

"The issue has been resolved. We are together now. This problem will not arise again," said Yeddyurappa.

The BJP, however, has not explained how the Reddy brothers were persuaded to make piece with the Chief Minister. The brothers--powerful mine owners from Bellary district in Karnataka--till Saturday were demanding Yeddyurappa’s ouster.

Sources tell CNN-IBN Yeddyurappa replaced his trusted principal secretary V P Baligar as per the brothers’ demands. Rural Development Minister Shobha Karandlaje, a Yeddyurappa aide, may be axed too for the Reddys.

But the Reddy’s main demand of replacing Yeddyurappa was turned down by the party.