Bangalore:
The Reddy brothers are untenable, they need to go. That's the message of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani to Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa.
Worried about the battering image the party is taking over allegations that the Reddys are running an illegal mining empire, the party is now willing to do anything to clean up its image, even if it means the collapse of the BJP government in Karnataka. (Read: Belekeri: Heart of India's mining storm)
Senior BJP leader L K Advani has stepped in for course correction in Karnataka. The Chief Minister drove in to meet him. An hour later, Yeddyurappa emerged with a clear hint that Advani was in favour of the controversial Reddy brothers quitting the Cabinet.
BJP sources say Advani has spelt out a broad formula to end the crisis.
He has asked Yeddyurappa to act firmly and save the party's image, even if it means sacrificing the government. But before that, BJP president Nitin Gadkari and Sushma Swaraj will convince the Reddy brothers to step down.
The Reddys will be warned that if they bring down the government in Karnataka, President's rule will be worse. And Yeddyurappa will assess the eventualities.
With Advani going against the Reddys, their supporters among the BJP top leadership may fall in line.
Commenting on the issue, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said, "If a single charge is there against a minister, I will not take 24 hours to remove them." (Read: Will sack Reddys if there is proof, says Yeddyurappa)
Reddy brothers are a parallel power centre in the state. Last year, Yeddyurappa tried to act tough, but was forced to retract. But the tide is turning this time.
In a pincer like move, their rivals have taken the battle to the next level. Today, Karnataka's Opposition reached Delhi, planning to destablise the BJP government in the state. In meetings with the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi, they targeted the Reddys.
"The CBI needs to probe their activities," said Congress MLC from Karnataka, K C Kondaiah.
Yedyurappa met the Prime Minister and Home Minister, saying no to a CBI inquiry. He promised a probe by the Lokayukta, and asked the Centre to ban iron ore exports. Both moves may eventually suffocate the Reddys.
The Congress wants the Reddy's out of the Karnataka Cabinet as they are creating trouble for its Andhra government. The BJP Chief Minister is trying to edge them out. The Congress might be trying to destablise the BJP government, but the bad news for the Reddy's is that the country's two main parties are suddenly viewing them as common enemy.
Worried about the battering image the party is taking over allegations that the Reddys are running an illegal mining empire, the party is now willing to do anything to clean up its image, even if it means the collapse of the BJP government in Karnataka. (Read: Belekeri: Heart of India's mining storm)
Senior BJP leader L K Advani has stepped in for course correction in Karnataka. The Chief Minister drove in to meet him. An hour later, Yeddyurappa emerged with a clear hint that Advani was in favour of the controversial Reddy brothers quitting the Cabinet.
BJP sources say Advani has spelt out a broad formula to end the crisis.
He has asked Yeddyurappa to act firmly and save the party's image, even if it means sacrificing the government. But before that, BJP president Nitin Gadkari and Sushma Swaraj will convince the Reddy brothers to step down.
The Reddys will be warned that if they bring down the government in Karnataka, President's rule will be worse. And Yeddyurappa will assess the eventualities.
With Advani going against the Reddys, their supporters among the BJP top leadership may fall in line.
Commenting on the issue, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said, "If a single charge is there against a minister, I will not take 24 hours to remove them." (Read: Will sack Reddys if there is proof, says Yeddyurappa)
Reddy brothers are a parallel power centre in the state. Last year, Yeddyurappa tried to act tough, but was forced to retract. But the tide is turning this time.
In a pincer like move, their rivals have taken the battle to the next level. Today, Karnataka's Opposition reached Delhi, planning to destablise the BJP government in the state. In meetings with the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi, they targeted the Reddys.
"The CBI needs to probe their activities," said Congress MLC from Karnataka, K C Kondaiah.
Yedyurappa met the Prime Minister and Home Minister, saying no to a CBI inquiry. He promised a probe by the Lokayukta, and asked the Centre to ban iron ore exports. Both moves may eventually suffocate the Reddys.
The Congress wants the Reddy's out of the Karnataka Cabinet as they are creating trouble for its Andhra government. The BJP Chief Minister is trying to edge them out. The Congress might be trying to destablise the BJP government, but the bad news for the Reddy's is that the country's two main parties are suddenly viewing them as common enemy.
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