Notwithstanding mounting pressure from a section of party MLAs to convene the BJP legislature party (LP) meeting, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday said that he would do so if directed by the party high command.
He was reacting to the demand of party MLAs supporting former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa who had issued him a three-day ultimatum for the same.
“I don’t have a problem to convene the meeting. But the high command’s permission is necessary. I will discuss the issue with the central leadership soon,” he said. Adding that BJP national president Nitin Gadkari was busy with his daughter’s marriage, the CM said he would take up the issue afterwards.
The dissident legislators and ministers rallying behind Yeddyurappa have been demanding the convening of legislature party meet to discuss issues, including change of leadership. The disgruntled leaders have projected Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar, a fellow Lingayat, as an alternative to Gowda, who is a Vokkaliga.
‘Why stoop to conquer?’
On the diatribes against him by BJP MLA B P Harish, the CM said that the party would take action against the former. “Just because some people speak on the roadside, I don’t have to stoop to their level and respond. The fact that an MLA is speaking against his own party CM reflects his persona,” Gowda said, adding that he has already brought the issue to the notice of the party leadership.
On the Dharwad High Court Circuit Bench quashing the government’s decision to supersede the Belgaum City Corporation, the CM said he would discuss the issue with the law department before taking action.