Yeddyurappa rules out leadership change in Karnataka

NEW DELHI: Ruling out change in leadership in dissidence-hit Karnataka BJP, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today said he was ready to discuss issues with anybody to resolve the problem including the Reddy brothers, who have been spearheading the revolt.

"In the interest of the state, I am ready to discuss (the issues) with anybody and solve the problem. Whatever decision the national leadership is going to take, that is going to be the final decision," he told TV channels.

"I am trying my level best to meet the Reddy brothers (Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy and Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy) today," he said, hoping that the crisis will be resolved in a day or two.

Asked if he was ready to demands of the dissidents, he said, "That is for the national leadership to decide".

On whether he would be stepping down, he said, "The national leaders have already cleared that the question does not arise. They have accepted that I will be the future leader also.

"The only thing is that we have to sit together, discuss and solve the problem. Maybe there are some differences of opinion," he said.

He said, "Nobody, even the national leaders have come forward with any formula and at the time of discussions, if they (dissidents) suggest anything in the interest of the state, I will ask our national leaders to take a final decision".

The Chief Minister said he did not have any reservation about meeting anyone since the leaders had to work together keeping in view the interests of the state.

Yeddyurappa, who met senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu this morning, said he will also be meeting other top party leaders including L K Advani, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley.

The Chief Minister will also be meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss flood relief issue in the state.

Yeddyurappa reached the capital last evening and held meetings with Speaker Jagadish Shettar, who has been the chief ministerial candidate of the rebel camp, in a bid to find a solution to the crisis. The meeting was mediated by party general secretary Ananth Kumar.

The Reddy brothers have been demanding his resignation. They have problems with the Chief Minister's 'autocratic' style of functioning, increasing clout of Rural Development Minister Shoba Karandlaje and other issues related to their mining business.