Yediyurappa flashes victory sign as party in-charge Arun Singh winds up 3-day visit
Bengaluru: BJP national General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Arun Singh on Friday warned of action against violation of party discipline as rumblings within played out in the open during his three day visit to the state, amid speculation about replacing Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.
Though Singh, who had earlier ruled out leadership change, did not make any direct comments on the issue, he is said to have made it clear at the Karnataka BJP core committee meeting that Yediyurappa will continue as the Chief Minister.
In a gesture signifying that things are in his favour, Yediyurappa, who did not make any comments on what transpired at the meeting on the leadership issue, flashed the victory sign as he departed from the state BJP office.
"The leadership issue was not discussed... Yediyurappa is our leader, there is no change in that. Our in-charge Arun Singh has asked me to make it clear," Revenue Minister and core committee member R Ashoka told reporters, briefing them about the meeting.
There was no question of replacing Yediyurappa, he said.
"The government will function under his (Yediyurappa) leadership. This is the clear stand," he said, adding that it has been decided to take strict action against those making open statements on the issue.
Yediyurappa earlier in the day had downplayed the dissidence against him as he ruled out any political crisis in the state.
"There is no political crisis at all...what is happening is just because one or two people are saying something in the media, it is creating misunderstanding...these one or two people speaking against me is not new, they have been doing it since the beginning and it is getting highlighted," he said, pointing out that Singh did not even meet those involved in such activities.
"There is no confusion or crisis, we are all together and united, and are focusing on the development work.
None of my cabinet colleagues are disturbed by any of these things...we will try and talk to those who are involved in such activities, and try to resolve things," he said.
Speculations have been rife for some time now that a section of the ruling BJP is trying to push for unseating Yediyurappa, despite Singh, party state President Nalin Kumar Kateel and other senior leaders ruling out replacing the Chief Minister and asserting that the 78 year-old Lingayat strong man will continue in the top post.
This is mainly because of repeated open statements by some disgruntled legislators against the functioning of the government and its leadership, party sources said.
Aimed at putting an end to activities by some legislators that are causing embarrassment to the BJP and the government, the party is likely to take action against a few of them soon.
"Everyone should work together for the party... there are only two-three people (legislators) who are causing damage to the party and have hurt workers...definitely action will be taken against them at the right time...
we will try to talk to them first and make them understand, action will also be taken if necessary," Singh said.
He said BJP is the world's largest party and has a goverment in the state. Everyone has to follow discipline, he said, as he evaded questions on the leadership issue.
Despite being warned not to make open statements, disgruntled BJP MLC A H Vishwanath today once again demanded Yediyurappas ouster and levelled allegations of corruption and interference in the administration against his younger son and party vice-president, B Y Vijayendra.
"The government has approved the Upper Bhadra Project worth over Rs 21,000 crore.Is there money with the government? This is being done just for kickbacks," he alleged.
Not willing to comment on Vishwanath's statements, Yediyurappa said the high command would decide on what action should be taken against him.
On the charge against his son and kickbacks in an irrigation project, the CM they were all baseless allegations, were being unnecessarily made and done for political reasons.
To add to this, charges of phone-tapping and conspiracy to fix him by Hubli-Dharwad West MLA Arvind Bellad,who is said to be from the faction seeking Yediyurappa's replacement, had caused further embarrassment to the party and the government.
However, Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Tourism Minister C P Yogeshwar, who are also from the disgruntled group and had openly spoken against the government and Yediyurappa in the past, had maintained a low key during Singh's visit.
These allegations against the government and its leadership had also resulted in a slug fest between the camps in favour of Yediyurappa and those seeking his replacement, even as Singh held a series of meetings with party leaders.
Singh had held meetings with Ministers and met 40-odd legislators individually from factions in favour of Yediyurappa, those against him and those seemingly neutral.
According to some BJP sources, he is likely to submit a report to the party's national leadership.
A few legislators believe the party may go in for a cabinet shuffle, as many of them have complained about a lack of social and regional balance in the Yediyurappa ministry.
Briefing reporters about the decisions of the core committee meeting, Ashoka said it was decided to improve the image of the government and the party in the state and have a proper coordination between the two.
He said the party would hold its state executive on June 26 in Bengaluru, organise district executives from July 1 to 15 and mandal executive meetings from July 16 to 31.
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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.
