It is BJP government in Karnataka, not a coalition with KJP: Eswarappa

BANGALORE: The ruling BJP in Karnataka today rejected rebel party leader B S Yeddyurappa's claim that the present Jagadish Shettar Ministry was a coalition arrangement with the Karnataka Janata Party, to be headed by him.

"There is a BJP Government in the state. It is wrong to say that it is a coalition government with KJP support", state unit BJP President K S Eswarappa said hitting out at Yeddyurappa, who has announced his decision to quit the party and head the regional KJP to be formally launched next month.

Speaking to reporters before a meeting of office-bearers and other party functionaries to be chaired by BJP General Secretary Dharmendra Pradhan here, Eswarappa also asserted that "the BJP government will complete its term".

Pradhan is meeting state unit office bearers, heads of frontal organisations, Ministers and MPs during the day-long exercise that is primarily aimed at preventing its leaders from attending Yeddyurappa's party launch rally next month.

Eswarappa hinted at disciplinary action against elected representatives if they participated in the KJP Convention at Haveri on December 9 and its activities.

Those elected on "Lotus" symbol cannot carry on their activities on the symbol of another party, he said and also disapproved the action by Yeddyurappa in floating a new party when he still remained in BJP.

"If anyone wants to attend that rally, they can do after dissociating from the BJP," Eswarappa, also a Deputy Chief Minister, said sending a clear message to the rebel group.

He said today's meeting will debate organisational issues and also preparations for next year's assembly polls.

Yeddyurappa, who has decided to quit the party upset over his neglect, yesterday warned that if action was taken against his supporters, the government will face threat (to its survival).