BJP under pressure from allies over BSY

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convenor and Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav said on Friday that he would talk to ally BJP on the possible fallout of a potentially damaging Karnataka lokayukta report on illegal mining expected any day now.

Already under pressure from the Congress on the continuance of state CM BS Yeddyurappa days before Parliament meets for the monsoon session, the BJP is now feeling the heat even from allies, who fear the NDA will lose its political advantage on corruption if no action is taken against Yeddyurappa.

Suggesting the NDA has to be seen as honest to lead the fight against corruption, Yadav said, "BJP is our ally and we will talk to them on this issue on logical grounds."

Even supporters of Yeddyurappa admit they are feeling the heat as the party mulls what to do, with suggestions also doing the rounds that the CM may have to be persuaded to step down.

"Wait for the report first. How can we comment now," said a senior leader when asked. "But there is clearly going to be a perceptional problem with Parliament set to meet in days, and it wont be easy for us to take the government on if a damning report does come on Karnataka."

However, another BJP leader wondered whether Hegde had sought the responses of those named before indicting them, saying the lokayukta act required this.

The Congress on its part continued its tirade against the BJP, with its spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi saying, "Chickens have come to roost. The time of reckoning has come. The natak (drama) of Karnataka now comes to an end."

BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the party will come out with a comprehensive response when the report is out, but added it was improper to be judgmental and demanding on speculations.

(Inputs from Aurungzeb Naqshbandi)