BJP to take decision against K'taka MLAs on Dec 12

Facing fresh turmoil, Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar today said BJP central leaders will take a decision on December 12 on initiating action against MLAs who defied the party and shared dais with BS Yeddyurappa at the launch of his new outfit.

Facing fresh turmoil, Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar on Monday said BJP central leaders will take a decision on December 12 on initiating action against MLAs who defied the party and shared dais with BS Yeddyurappa at the launch of his new outfit.

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"The BJP central leaders will take a decision at a December 12 meeting ..." Shettar told reporters in Belgaum, a day after 13 MLAs threw their lot behind Yeddyurappa at the Haveri rally, raising questions about the stability of government.

Ignoring the warning of action, MLAs loyal to Yeddyurappa, who broke his 40-year-old association with BJP 11 days ago, showed open defiance, putting the BJP in a quandary.

Reacting to the opposition demand to dissolve the assembly, Shettar replied in the negative saying there is no question of doing so.

Higher education minister CT Ravi alleged Yeddyurappa is having a "secret pact" with Congress as he has not stated anything against it.

Ravi said said the formation of KJP will not affect BJP's prospects in future. "BJP cannot be weakened by anyone (who leaves the party)," he added.

Yeddyurappa had on Sunday dared the BJP to dissolve the assembly and seek a fresh mandate saying the Shettar government had no majority in the assembly now.

Seeking to send a tough message to Yeddyurappa's loyalists, Shettar had on Saturday sacked his trusted lieutenant BJ Puttaswamy from the ministry while the party had suspended Tumkur MP GS Basavaraju.