Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday told journalists that the ongoing crisis in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the state had come to an end, and he was headed to the Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu to offer his prayers.
He reiterated that he will continue as the state chief minister and thanked the party's top leadership for putting their faith in him.
Yeddyurappa stated that he would maintain a cordial relationship with all party Members of Legislative Assembly and will take them into consideration before making any major decision.
But the Karnataka CM refused to divulge the details of the 'compromise formula' that has been worked out by the party leaders to solve the crisis. Informed sources said that as per the formula, certain changes will be made in the state cabinet.
However, rebel leader and state Tourism Minister B Janardhan Reddy, who is demanding a change in the state leadership, declared that he had not changed his stance.
Reddy, who has been meeting top party leaders in New Delhi, left for Hyderabad to meet the 55 MLAs backing him, who are currently holed up in a resort.
While updating the MLAs about the latest developments, Reddy told them that the party high command was willing to accept all their demands, but remained adamant that Yeddyurappa would have to continue as the CM. The rebel MLAs reportedly told him that they would abide by the final decision he took about the matter.
Refusing to give up his demand for leadership change, Reddy told reporters after the meeting, "Evil forces have to be wiped out from the state and this is our only demand. The high command will need two more days to resolve the crisis and I am hopeful that they will listen to our version of the story".
Reddy is expected to visit Bengaluru and then again return to Delhi to continue lobbying for Yeddyurappa's removal. The BJP's top brass in expected to meet on Saturday evening to take a final decision on the issue.
