Land scam-hit CM faces fresh rebellion

Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa faced fresh dissension on Wednesday with more than 40 of the BJP's 106 MLAs seeking his removal. HT reports. The allegations and Yeddyurappa's defence | Daddy's pet

Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa faced fresh dissension on Wednesday with more than 40 of the BJP's 106 MLAs seeking his removal.

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The MLAs expressed concern over the Opposition's intensifying campaign against Yeddyurappa's alleged favouritism in allotting government land to his children at throwaway prices.

In Delhi, the BJP's central leaders and the RSS took a "grim view" of the documents released by the Opposition.

However, Yeddyurappa's supporters complained to the party leadership against senior leader Ananth Kumar, accusing him of inciting the rebellion.

Though the high command might not replace Yeddyurappa immediately, it would be difficult for him to continue in office as he appears to have "acted against propriety" and has become a liability for the party, a BJP source said on Wednesday.

In Bangalore, Yeddyurappa defended the allotment of land to a firm in which his two sons are partners.

He, however, stoutly denied having committed acts of nepotism or favouritism and said there was no question of his stepping down.

Under attack from the Opposition, Yeddyurappa said he was ready to order a judicial probe by a retired Supreme Court judge into the denotification and allotment of lands and sites during the last 10 years, if the Opposition agreed.

Admitting to mediapersons that he had allotted land to his sons BY Raghavendra and BY Vijayendra, the chief minister said this was done in accordance with rules and procedures.

The fresh dissension comes just a month after Yeddyurappa won a controversial trust vote, necessitated by the rebellion of 11 BJP MLAs and five Independents.

(With PTI inputs)

The allegations and Yeddyurappa's defence | Daddy's pet