2 BJP MLAs ''reaches out'' to HDK, Lingayat sect legislators

Amid speculations of factionalism in ruling BJP after recent meeting of senior MLAs 'upset' over

not being inducted into the B S Yediyurappa ministry, more such activities surfaced with another group discussing cabinet

respresentation and a couple of legislators reportedly getting in touch with JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy.

Also, BJP legislators belonging to Panchamasali caste, a sect within the dominant Lingayat community, late Tuesday held

a meeting at a city hotel in the presence of a seer, and discussed about the representation of the community in the

cabinet, party sources said. Several legislators are said to have attended the

meeting in which they also discussed, among other things, about inclusion of Panchamasali community in the OBC list, and

that a senior leader from the community should be made MLC. A couple of senior BJP legislators upset over not being

inducted into the Ministry are said to have reached out to Kumaraswamy on Tuesday night.

Though JDS sources confirmed about the MLAs contacting Kumaraswamy, it is not clear what transpired between them.

The activities in the midst of the ongoing assembly session have raised eyebrows within the ruling BJP circles.

Earlier, Minister Jagadish Shettars meeting with senior legislators (mostly from north Karnataka), reportedly upset

over being left out in the recent cabinet expansion on Monday had sparked speculation of a revolt within the BJP.

Dismissing the talk of dissidence, he, had maintained a few legislators met him regarding their constituency-related

work. According to media reports, eight-time BJP MLA Umesh

Katti, who is sore over not being made a minister, and Shankar Patil Munenakoppa were among those who had met Shettar's at

his residence. The development came even as an unsigned anonymous

letter, calling for a change in the leadership citing Yediyurappa's age and health as the reason was widely

circulated in the social media in the past few days. It called for Yediyurappa's retirement from electoral

politics and suggests that he turn "margdarshak" (guide) for the party.Yediyurappa will turn 77 on February 27.

Amid all this, JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda on Wednesday wished that Yediyurappa government completes its

term, as it would provide him time to organise the party for the next assembly polls.

My desire is that Yediyurappa government should remain for about three years and a few months. I want time to build

the party. I will never say this government has to go, because time is necessary. If the election happens in six month or one

year, we will not be able to gain strength. Time is the major important factor, Gowda told reporters in Belagavi.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)