Senior BJP leader Manohar Parrikar on Friday held talks with dissident Karnataka legislators here and exuded confidence that the crisis facing the state government will be blown over by Saturday as "certain issues" can be solved at the party forum.
"It is a dispute within the party and it will be resolved by tomorrow," he told reporters. Parrikar, who is heading the Good Governance Cell of the party, held series of meetings with the legislators and said that legislators have no demands but "certain issues" which can be solved at the party forum.
"I met everyone including independents and discussed their grievances," he said. Karnataka's excise minister M.P. Renukacharya was amongst the legislators who held talks with Parrikar.
Parrikar, who is also Goa's leader of Opposition, said the possibility of the crisis getting over has become strong after his meeting. The BJP leader alleged that former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who is in Goa, was involved in horse-trading.
However, he said, "I don't think any of the BJP legislator or independents allowed them to be traded". Around 15 dissident legislators from Karnataka are camping in a five-star hotel at Benaulim, 50 kms away from here. Karnataka tourism minister Janardhan Reddy, who has come down to Goa to negotiate with the legislators, is yet to meet them.
"I am heading the Good Governance cell and its my responsibility that BJP governments work smoothly," Parrikar said, adding there is no horse-trading to keep the legislators together.
He also said that he does not have the authority to grant their demands but will put them across to the high command. "They are our legislators. Why should we be involved in horse-trading," the leader of Opposition said.
Parrikar said that he has a reputation of not dealing in money during crisis resolution. Local Congress leaders, including state home minister Ravi Naik, power minister Aleixo Sequeira and public works department minister Churchill Alemao were also present at the hotel on Thursday night.