BJP confident of winning trust vote in K'taka; crisis likely to blow over

BJP today expressed confidence on winning the October 11 trust vote, amid indications that the crisis faced by the 28-month-old Yeddyurappa ministry is set to blow-over. Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy said, "we have clear majority".

BJP on Thursday expressed confidence on winning the October 11 trust vote, amid indications that the crisis faced by the 28-month-old Yeddyurappa ministry is set to blow over.

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Along with BJP general secretary H N Anath Kumar, the "save Yeddyurappa campaign" is partly being spearheaded by Tourism and Infrastructure Development Minister G Janardhana Reddy, who had led a rebellion against the Chief Minister last year.

"We have clear majority," Reddy said adding opposition leaders Siddaramaiah (Cong) and H D Kumaraswamy (JD-S) will have to "hang their heads" on October 11 (when the government faces the trust vote).

State BJP President KS Eshwarappa said the government was not facing crisis.

"We are 100 per cent confident of getting a majority on October 11", Eshwarappa said.

"There is no question of dissident activities in the BJP. Some MLAs are dissatisfied; they nurse desires and hopes of getting posts and positions", he said, adding as a family, the BJP would resolve the issues amicably.

Meanwhile, S K Bellubbi, one of the 18 MLAs who announced withdrawal of support to the Government on Wednesday, deserted the dissident camp and expressed loyalty to the government.

Ministers S Suresh Kumar, VS Acharya and B Sriramulu have offered to quit, if required, to make way for induction of new faces.

Sources said the Minister of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Housing, Katta Subramanya Naidu, facing allegations of corruption when he was Industries Minister, is likely to be dropped.

Sources said Sugar and Horticulture Minister S A Ravindranatha and Mass Education and Public Libraries Minister Revu Naik are likely to be asked to quit, if need arises, to accommodate more aspirants into the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, party sources said more dissidents are expected to desert the rebel camp and switch over to the government camp. Some dissidents are reportedly worried about attracting provisions of anti-defection laws.