BENGALURU: Developments in Delhi appeared to shape the course of the
Yediyurappa government
on Tuesday, with the BJP high command quelling the growing rebellion on the one hand, and the Supreme Court agreeing to look at urgent listing of the plea of disqualified JD(S)- Congress MLAs.
Tourism minister CT Ravi, revenue minister R Ashoka,
RDPR minister KS Eshwarappa
and health minister B Sreeramulu — who had expressed their anger at portfolio allocation and the appointment of three deputy CMs — said they were happy with their departments and would work to strengthen the government.
Ravi accompanied the chief minister to Mudigere taluk in Chikkamagaluru district to inspect flood-affected areas, following a climbdown reportedly at the behest of BJP national secretary BL Santosh. A sulking Ashoka, who had not taken charge of his department till Tuesday evening, attended a meeting on flood relief at Yediyurappa’s home office.
Sreeramulu said: “The party’s diktat cannot be disputed. I condemn protests by my supporters who want me to be a deputy CM. The party comes first.” While the official line appeared to have been laid down, opposition from the old guard was evident in Jagadish Shettar’s dismissal of the deputy CMs as an “arrangement”.