Bangalore:
BS Yeddyurappa has put his party, the BJP, into yet another embarrassing spot, as he is wont to do periodically. This time, eight ministers loyal to the Karnataka strongman have handed their resignations to Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda, who Mr Yeddyurappa wants out.
Mr Gowda has reportedly refused to accept the resignations, but the ministers left their papers with him anyway and have even said that they want to return their official cars.
Administratively, this could stall much of government functioning. The resignation of these ministers, if accepted, will bring down the strength of the Sadananda Gowda cabinet to 13 ministers - the Chief Minister already tackles 21 portfolios.
Mr Yeddyurappa's camp - he claims he has the support of 70 MLAs (more than half of the BJP's total strength in the Assembly) - insist they want a change in leadership and have been demanding a legislature party meeting, which has not been called yet. The initial demand that Mr Yeddyurappa be brought back changed some months ago to one for a Lingayat leader as Chief Minister - Minister Jagadish Shettar is the favoured candidate. Earlier today, ministers loyal to Mr Yeddyurappa held strategy meetings at the residence of Mr Shettar.
The last time the Yeddyurappa camp brought matters to a boil with a resignation drama, ministers loyal to him had handed their resignations to Mr Yeddyurappa. By giving their letters to the Chief Minister this time they have signalled that they are upping the ante. But Mr Yeddyurappa himself has been unusually quiet. He has said he will not speak for a month; Karnataka watchers say Mr Yeddyurappa, who is known to be very superstitious, will not do anything in the ashada month, considered inauspicious. He also moved to his new house in Dollars Colony in Bangalore just before the month began, and is said to hope it will bring him luck.
Mr Yeddyurappra was forced to quit as chief minister last year after a report by the state's ombudsman indicted him for corruption. He picked Mr Gowda as his successor. But lately, their relationship has soured, with the protege refusing to oblige his onetime mentor by stepping down. Mr Yeddyurappa's woes have grown considerably since a CBI investigation was ordered against him in illegal mining cases.
The resignation of eight ministers will not threaten the government and the rebel camp's move today is clearly an effort to twist the BJP's central leadership's hand and force Mr Gowda out. The BJP's central leadership is reluctant to decide on this demand till the election for President of India takes place on July 19. Party president Nitin Gadkari is also busy with his son's wedding.
Mr Gowda has kept his famous smile so far and insisted he will complete his term. Elections are due in Karnataka in less than a year.