The threat to the six-month-old Jagadish Shettar government seems to be melting slowly following the reluctance of BJP legislators who are loyal to former CM B S Yeddyurappa, to tender resignation to their membership.
Sources close to Shettar told Express that 14 legislators, who have identified themselves in the Yeddyurappa camp, are now backtracking from their earlier idea of resigning to their membership for the time being.
Even Basavaraj Patil Attur, the BJP MLA from Basavakalyana in Bidar district , had announced that he would fax his resignation to the Speaker of State Legislative Assembly. But he seems to have put his decision on hold temporarily.
The same is the case of other BJP legislators who had promised Yeddyurappa that they would resign to join the KJP.
Sources said that the loyalists of Yeddyurappa are not ready to take any hasty decision as the tenure of the incumbent government will end in May.
Besides, they are worried about developments in their respective constituencies as many projects are being finalised by the government and works are expected to be taken up soon.
They also fear that the funds will not be given for the many ongoing works in their constituencies if they withdraw their support to the Shettar government.
Sources pointed out that these legislators are put in a piquant situation as they can neither quit the BJP nor join the KJP.
The next two to three months is very crucial as the government would allot funds to the constituencies to complete all the pending works.
Also, state BJP leaders warning that the party will expel those who identify with Yeddyurappa has also made them to reconsider their decision till the end of Shettar government.
It is learnt that 14 legislators have reportedly asked Yeddyurappa to take a decision at the earliest so that they could decide their future course of action.
When contacted, Public Works Minister C M Udasi refused to say whether he would remain in the BJP or join KJP.
“I have not decided any thing so far. If I have anything to say, I will call you and inform,” he said.
Sources said with no imminent threat to the incumbent government, Shettar is now concentrating on preparing the 2013-14 state budget which is likely to be presented during the second week of February.