Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: With tears in his eyes, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa on Saturday blamed the dissidents for shifting focus from relief work to the politics as dissident Reddy brothers held out despite a reported compromise formula.
"I apologise to the flood victims. When they are facing so many problems, we should not have wasted time on this crisis," he told Kannada channel "Suvarna".
He said the people he trusted did not support him. "I should have not been distracted. I hope God will forgive me," the Chief Minister said.
The crisis in BJP’s Karnataka unit refuses to die down as state Tourism Minister Janardhan Reddy ruled out any compromise with the party and remained adamant to his demand of removing BS Yeddyurappa from Chief Minister's post.
Reddy made the remarks after CM Yeddyurappa told media earlier in the day that the crisis plaguing the state leadership has been resolved and he will continue as the CM.
"In the interest of the party, betterment of the state and in the interest of BJP workers, I am confident that the party high command will take a right, correct and a good decision," Reddy, who is spearheading the campaign for the removal of Yeddyurappa, told reporters.
Rubbishing the reports of any compromise reached between him and party, Reddy made it clear that their stand and demand of removing the CM has not changed yet.
"Yesterday only I told you regarding this formula and all. I don't know how the media, they are saying with what source they are saying...I don't know," he said when asked about the compromise formula.
He said there was no change in his stand. "I have stuck by whatever I have told....I also stand by it today".
Earlier this morning, Yeddyurappa had said in the capital, “Everything has been resolved....I am thankful to the party leadership for reposing faith in me. I will take everyone into confidence.”
"The government will complete its full term under my leadership in the state," Yeddyurappa added.
He however refused to divulge more information about the truce formula that had been worked out.
Around 40 legislators, including some ministers, supporting the demand for Yeddyurappa's ouster have been staying in a hotel in Hyderabad for a week.
Reddy later flew to Bangalore to meet his elder brother and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy. The third Reddy sibling G Somashekara is a legislator.
Yeddyurappa appeared optimistic about reaching a solution by the evening and again sent overtures to the Reddy brothers for talks.
The CM, who was here to meet the central leadership on the issue, was talking to reporters before leaving for Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu. He will then return to state capital Bangalore.
Yesterday, he had said that in accordance with the wishes of the Reddy brothers he had already transferred his Principal Secretary V P Baligar and would be conceding some other of their demands.
It is understood that Rural Development Minister Shoba Karanlaje, whose removal has been demanded by the dissidents, is likely to be dropped and Speaker Jagadish Shettar may be inducted into the cabinet.
The BJP dissidents in the state were headed by Janardhan Reddy and Karunakara Reddy, who camped in Delhi with their demand of change in leadership along with sacking of Rural Development Minister Shobha Karandlaje and transfer of some bureaucrats.
First Published: Sunday, November 08, 2009, 10:11