Shettar, face of rebels or weak link?

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The latest political crisis in the state, triggered by the resignations of nine ministers, has headed for a major showdown on July 5 with supporters of rural development and panchayat raj minister Jagadish Shettar asking the central leadership to ease out chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda by the deadline or face a bigger rebellion that could split the party into two.

Flaunting the strength of the faction, 51 MLAs, seven MLCs and nine MPs, all supporters of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, met at the residence of Mr Shettar on Sunday morning and decided to abide by the decision taken by BSY and Mr Shettar once the deadline lapses.

Firming up their stand, all the participants signed a letter asking the Speaker to make separate seating arrangements for the breakaway faction in the Assembly. Over the next three days, the group hopes to get the support of 80 MLAs, the crucial two-thirds mark to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.

The participants claimed that other MLAs too were in constant touch with them over phone and sent fax messages extending support. At the end, the faction’s strength could exceed 80 allowing them to exert pressure on the high command, sources said.

Apart from the nine ministers who resigned on Friday, BJP chief whip in the Assembly Mr Siddu Savadi too attended the meeting. The Shettar camp is exploring whether the chief whip has the legal option to convene a separate Legislature Party meeting, sources said. “If there is no decision by the deadline, we are likely to convene a Legislature Party meeting. If the number reaches 80 by then, we will choose Mr Shettar as our Legislature Party leader,’’ an MLA, who attended the meeting, said.

Small-scale industries minister Raju Gowda said that their wait is only till July 5. “The party high command has promised to discuss the issue at the Parliamentary Board meeting on July 3. After taking a decision, they might need a day or two to visit Bengaluru and sort out the issue. If the party central leadership fails to replace Mr Sadananda Gowda with Mr Shettar that day, we will decide the future course. All those present at the meeting decided that each one of us will stand by the decision taken by Mr Shettar and Mr Yeddyurappa,’’ he said. Mr Yeddyurappa and energy minister Shobha Karandlaje skipped the meeting.