Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Monday rejected the B S Yeddyurappa camp`s demand for convening a legislature party meeting within 48 hours, saying it would be called only after presentation of the budget.
"I have not received any request from anybody to call for a meeting of the legislature party", Gowda told reporters, adding, he would convene it only after the budget (slated to be presented on Mar 21). The budget session begins tomorrow.
The Yeddyurappa camp yesterday set a 48-hour deadline on convening the legislature party meeting, where they want to formally elect him as the leader facilitating his reinstatement as Chief Minister.
Gowda saw nothing wrong in Yeddyurappa loyalists staying in a resort, saying "I can`t restrict anybody from going anywhere", adding, the Ministers were doing their work (otherwise).
There were no complaints against such Ministers vis-à-vis handling of their portfolios.
Appearing to be undeterred by moves of the Yeddyurappa camp to oust him, Gowda said, "I am continuing to perform my duties", adding, the budget speech would be sent for printing this afternoon.
"The state`s interest is of primary importance for me as Chief Minister. Party president will look after the affairs of the party", he said.
Meanwhile, MLA B P Harish, a Yeddyurappa loyalist, said a signature campaign is on by some 65 MLAs seeking convening of the legislature party meeting. Yeddyurappa has been exonerated by the court in the illegal mining case, he said, adding, the
BJP came to power after the party projected him to the post.
PTI
