Karnataka: Speculation doing rounds again over replacement of Yediyurappa as CM
Bengaluru, May 26: Even as Karnataka is battling the second wave of COVID-19, speculations were rife on Wednesday that some moves were on within the ruling BJP for replacing Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.
Some Ministers and MLAs, for the first time, openly admitted to such moves to exert pressure for unseating the Karnataka BJP strongman.
Several legislators considered close to the Chief Minister rallied around him questioning the need for such a change, and asserted that the 78-year-old veteran will complete the term and will even lead the party during the next polls two years away.
Citing certain decisions taken by the government, its handling of COVID crisis, alleged instances of corruption, a few legislators are said to be pushing for convening a legislature party meeting after June 7, the last day of the lockdown.
"I have got information about several (legislators) camping in Delhi, I have even got to know about meetings taking place at various places, even today. I have seen in the media that several Ministers are also part of it...it is true that such discussions are taking place," Revenue Minister R Ashoka said in response to a question.
"I have got to know about some (legislators) going to Delhi, it is hundred per cent true that developments are taking place...while some people are involved directly, some are indirectly involved.I'm seeing their statements in the media, but my priority is to stand with the people suffering due to Corona," he added.
However, Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan, Home Minister Basavaraj S Bommai, Housing Minister V Somanna, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar, said they were unaware of any such developments and ruled out leadership change.
Ashwath Narayan, terming the talk about leadership change as "far from truth", said Yediyurappa is their Chief Minister and leader.
"We are all working under his leadership to control COVID, and there is no need to give importance to news about me being the possible replacement for CM post," he said.
To a question about some legislators lobbying for leadership change in Delhi, Narayan said he was not aware of it and has heard about it only through the media. He also clarified that no legislature party meeting has been called on or after June 7, as is being speculated.
Bommai termed news about Chief Minister change and legislature party meeting being convened in June as "not official" and mere "speculations".
While Somanna said the Chief Minister's seat was not vacant and that Yediyurappa was strong in his position, Shettar, also a former CM, said no such discussions regarding leadership have taken place either at the state or central leadership level.
According to reports, Tourism Minister C P Yogeeshwara and BJP Hubballi-Dharwad (West) legislator Arvind Bellad are camping in Delhi and said to have been trying to seek appointment with BJP national leadership to express the feeling of some legislators against Yediyurappa's style of functioning and request them to rein in the Chief Minister.
Reports that some more legislators are likely to join them, have created a flutter in BJP circles.
Earlier this month the visit of Bommai and state BJP vice-president B Y Vijayendra, son of Yediyurappa, to the national capital and their meeting with national leadership had created a buzz around leadership change and discussions regarding possible replacement that would be to the liking of the Lingayat strongman.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who had several times in the past claimed that Yediyurappa will be replaced, repeated it on Wednesday as he also claimed that whoever will become the Chief Minister next, will also be weak.
"Yediyurappa has failed, he is the worst Chief Minister ever we had in Karnataka. He is the most incompetent, weak and corrupt Chief Minister. Attempts have been going on for some time to replace him, it looks like that it has come to the final stage now...the number of people seeking his replacement has increased," he said.
Earlier too there have been intense speculation in some quarters that the BJP high command is mulling leadership change in Karnataka in the days to come considering Yediyurappa's advancing age.
Though the BJP had officially rejected outright such speculation in the past, it refuses to die down, with some within the party like senior MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal giving credence to it with his statements, setting repeated deadlines for Yediyurappa's exit.
Some MLAs, questioning as to what is Yediyurappa's "mistake" for him to be replaced now, said there was no need for any signature campaign in favour of the CM, as they claimed all MLAs are with him.
BJP MLA and CM's political secretary S R Vishwanath sserted that Yediyurappa will remain in the top post for the remaining term, and will lead the party to victory during the next election.
"Our national president and central leaders have ruled out change.Despite this, such speculation, whenever some our leaders go to Delhi,is unwarranted...even if some of our own leaders are dreaming to become Chief Minister they should drop it," he said.
Noting that it is under Yediyurappa's leadership the BJP got the mandate in Karnataka and also came to power, MLA Madal Virupakshappa said those whose names are being projected as probable CM candidates, cannot win elections without Yediyurappa.
"Those who cannot win on their own without Yediyurappa's name, how will they become CM. High command is aware that it is because of Yediyurappa that BJP has a government in south India today, and they don't want to lose it," he added.
Ruling out any activities in Delhi, Shankar Gowda Patil, who is state government's special representative to New Delhi, said, "It is true two legislators have gone to Delhi..ask why they have gone, check for yourself have they met any nation leaders, you will get to know."
Yediyurappa's style of functioning, governments decision to sell 3,667 acres of land to the JSW Group in Ballari district which the BJP had opposed while in opposition, handling of COVID crisis are said to be some of the issues based on which a few legislators have decided to approach the central leadership.
Also, some of them are said to be of the opinion that if a leadership change is planned, it has to happen now, as doing it too close to the election in 2023, will prove disadvantageous for the party, sources said.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
