Karnataka crisis: Gowda in Delhi, to meet BJP high command

Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda landed in Delhi on Sunday to hold a crisis meet with the BJP leadership after former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa raised the pitch of his revolt.

Downplaying the tension, Gowda said he has received no resignation and that all issues would be resolved soon. "So far I haven't received any resignation letter either from any minister or from the MLA. I read in newspapers about 7 ministers and 15 MLAs have submitted there resignation to Yeddyurappa. I will only react when I get the resignations in my hand. We had a problem earlier also and we resolved everything and I think we will resolve everything."

Earlier on Sunday, Yeddyurappa openly praised UPA Chief Sonia Gandhi while slamming his own party. He said infighting is rampant in the BJP unlike the Congress where they stand by their leader.

"One thing I have noticed about the Congress party is that when Sonia Gandhi was in Tumkur, all the Congress leaders who were at the stage with her was united despite all their differences, but in my party everyone waits to pull the rug under a person who is in trouble," said Yeddyurappa.

Nine of Yeddyurappa loyalists quit their cabinet posts on Saturday saying they were insulted by the Chief Minister.

"Ministers and MLAs are angry because they have been insulted by Sadananda Gowda. It is true a few ministers and MLAs have quit their posts and handed over the resignations to me. I'll take the decision in the appropriate time. The reason is that the Karnataka Chief Minister wrote a letter to BJP president Nitin Gadkari seeking disciplinary action against them because they were close to me," Yeddyurappa said.

He also said that for the past five months there has been no legislature party meeting. "Why is there no meeting? About nine ministers have resigned. I will take my decision in sometime."

Animal Husbandry minister and a Yeddyurappa loyalist Revu Naik Belamagi said, "I have been saying this from the past. If Yeddyurappa will not be the Chief Minister, I will resign from the ministership."

The move is being seen as a pressure tactic by Yeddyurappa to secure more Cabinet berths for his loyalists. Sources said that Gowda is heading to Delhi to meet the party top brass. Sources also say that Yeddyurappa may be thinking of resigning from the Assembly. Yeddyurapa told CNN-IBN that he would decide his next step soon.

BJP MP GS Basavraj said, "It's a very serious situation. It should be handled with care. Yeddyurappa cannot continue to hold the party to ransom."